Help question from an outsider

[machinestatic]

Hi everyone. I'm admittedly an outsider who has never owned an Android phone, but I registered to ask a question since you all seem to know quite a lot about your devices. I hope you don't mind. Anyway! I have been an Apple iPhone owner for years and have the iPhone 4. It's a good device, but the $100+ per month for the contract is getting to be ridiculous, since the technology and customization of Android passes me by. Also, AT&T 3G is spotty sometimes. So, I have a question --

If I were to save myself some money and switch to the Galaxy Indulge, do you think my experience with it would be comparable, performance-wise? I do play games on my phone, but I can live without the hardcore games like Dead Space/Infinity Blade. Most often I'm just playing something like Angry Birds or Plants vs. Zombies. As for what I use my phone for, it's generally Internet browsing, music streaming (Rhapsody), texting and podcasts, etc. (I've never owned a phone with a QWERTY keyboard, but I send 1,000-2,000 texts a month so it might be nice.)

I originally planned to ask about the LG Optimus M because it's even CHEAPER per month, but I read (on this forum actually) that MetroPCS' 2G is so slow you can't even watch YouTube outside of Wifi. heh. So, anyone have any thoughts/criticism? Go for it. Thanks, I appreciate it!

 

[Shabbypenguin]

indeed metropcs 2g is slow, as is edge on att's network, but the price you will be saving is nice. android has a lot of perks and honestly i would recommend trying out the phones til you find one you like

 

[gamekid2k]

Indulge is $300 after rebate, so it is a steal right now

 

[machinestatic]

indeed metropcs 2g is slow, as is edge on att's network, but the price you will be saving is nice. android has a lot of perks and honestly i would recommend trying out the phones til you find one you like

That's a good point. Ironically, my 3G acts up often so I'll turn it off and use Edge instead. Quite a bummer for a $600 phone that's $100 a month. So perhaps the Optimus would be fine.

 

[TRS-80]

The main differences between the Indulge and Optimus are:

1. Processor - Indulge running 1Ghz Hummingbird, Optimus running 600 Mhz. Although the Optimus feels pretty snappy for a 600 Mhz processor, I understand that you can definitely feel/see the difference when you step up to the 1 Ghz.

2. 4G (LTE) - Indulge of course on LTE, Optimus not. And the difference I believe is only $10/mo for the service between the two on Metro. And Metro's 1XRTT data is basically unusable, I mean we are talking like dialup speeds here (~150 kbps). Don't expect to be able to do anything involving data unless you are around WiFi a lot.

3. Slide out keyboard - Indulge of course, has one. FWIW, this was one of the features that led me to buy the phone, as I have pretty fat fingers, I thought it would be useful. And it is, sometimes. I find myself using the keyboard when I am composing something of a few paragraphs length, as I can use the arrow keys to move the cursor around the text field, and Fn-arrow keys works like Home, End to jump to beginning / end of lines.

But when I am writing most things that are shorter (short email replies, txt messages, most searches and other typing done on the phone are actually pretty short) I have found that the included Swype keyboard is very fast, and handy!

Other than that, the phones are pretty comparable: they both run 2.2.1, and have comparable screens (close enough anyway).

If you have been following these forums, you will also know that the Optimus has already been fully rooted, the Indulge not quite yet but as we speak there is quite a lot of activity in that area. I would imagine the phone to be full rooted relatively soon. At the time of this writing, the Indulge has been partially rooted (I believe what they call "level 1" root). Plenty of further info on all of that around the forums...

And as others have said, with the current $100 MIR, you can pick up the Indulge now for only $299!!! I can tell you that I am tickled to death with the phone! I even paid the full $399 and don't regret it one bit! You have to also remember, that is an unsubsidized price! This is why your phone bill is only $50/60 per month on Metro! So over a year or two, when you add it up (phone purchase + monthly plan), you end up coming out way ahead!

I have been extremely happy with my Indulge, it has done everything I have expected/required with flying colors, as well as having a few more capabilities I wasn't expecting (and learning more all the time!)! That's the great thing about Android platform, you can almost always figure out an app or a way to do just about anything you want.

I highly recommend the phone. But just remember, if you want to check it out for yourself, just go into Metro and buy one. As a new customer, you always have the "Metro guarantee" to fall back on: you can get 100% of your money back as long as you are within 7 days of purchase and have not exceeded 60 minutes of talk time.

Get the Indulge! You will not regret it!

 

[machinestatic]

Wow. Well, you just got a "Thanks" from me, TRS-80.

Let's see:

And Metro's 1XRTT data is basically unusable, I mean we are talking like dialup speeds here (~150 kbps). Don't expect to be able to do anything involving data unless you are around WiFi a lot.

Ouch, that sucks! I mean, sure, I am around Wi-Fi often and my iPhone is good on it, but what REALLY frustrates me is all the times when I'm taking a smoke break at work, or I'm outside waiting for the train, and my phone won't even work to load one website, like Weather.com, or a 20 second breaking news video. So it sounds like the Optimus would disappoint me.

I would imagine the phone to be full rooted relatively soon.

To be honest, I'm too paranoid about voiding any warranty or insurance I get to mess with that. I assume it'd be easy to flash the stock OS back onto the phone, but what I'd be worried about is if it ever bricks and I have to bring it to Metro without being able to flash it first. I think I'd be satisfied with just getting a custom launcher from the Market.

And lastly...

As a new customer, you always have the "Metro guarantee" to fall back on: you can get 100% of your money back as long as you are within 7 days of purchase and have not exceeded 60 minutes of talk time.

How would that work with porting my existing phone number, though? Can MetroPCS port a number to a phone that's already active? Or would I need to buy a Metro phone with a new phone number and try it for 7 days, RETURN it, and then immediately turn around and buy another one which I'd port my old number to? The salesman would want to punch me in the face.

 

[ciper]

machinestatic If you don't mind sharing your general location perhaps someone in the area would give their impression of coverage and let you use their phone? I am in Northern California...

Remember not having a contract means you can cancel and port your number back over and any point. If you did buy the Indulge and then a month later decide you dont like it I am positive you could sell it at a relatively small loss (probably less than 75$) since its a hot phone right now (first LTE android)

What I can say is MetroPCS is very good for people who stay within a 30 mile radius of their home in a larger city.

 

[TRS-80]

How would that work with porting my existing phone number, though? Can MetroPCS port a number to a phone that's already active? Or would I need to buy a Metro phone with a new phone number and try it for 7 days, RETURN it, and then immediately turn around and buy another one which I'd port my old number to? The salesman would want to punch me in the face.

ciper makes a good point about being able to sell the phone within 30 days and only taking a small hit on the deal (in my area, they are actually only selling $25-50 less than new right now). One thing I want to point out to you though, and it is very important: Your phone service must be ON in order to port the number! So leave your service on with your current carrier, until you are ready to go into Metro and sign up and get your number ported over. I guess the same would be true in reverse, if you decide you didn't like Metro after all (i.e., leave it on Metro until the port is complete).

Another thing you could do is keep stopping by stores in your area until you find a sales rep that owns the phone. A lot of them are buying them now, as a lot of those guys are kind of phone junkies and want the latest and greatest. So you could test it out in the store a little bit, if that would be enough testing for you.

Or, you could do as I did, as I had some specific concerns and things I wanted to "test out" before plunking down $400 on the phone. In my case, I was forced to do this because the "Metro Guarantee" only applies to NEW customers, not current ones (way to reward your current loyal customers Metro! ). So what I did was to just buy a new Indulge in order to test it for the 7 days. I got a new phone number, and left my current phone on. After 7 days of testing out whatever you want, return the phone (make sure you don't go over 60 minutes (let me know if you want me to tell you how to check that). Then you will get 100% of your money back. BTW, I would do that at a dealer that you don't normally deal with (if you happen to be across town one day, for example). Then, if you like the phone, go into your normal / local dealer, buy the phone (for "keeps" this time) and have your number ported.

That's kind of a d!ck move, I think the dealer somehow gets shafted with the phone for a period of time with their inventory or something, so I would only recommend that as a last resort. You may be able to just port your number to Metro when you get new service, and then port it out again to some new service on the 6th or 7th day if you end up not liking the service (I'm not sure on that one, others here may be able to give more detail on that, but I don't see why not).

Remember also, that insurance can only be purchased when you first buy the phone. Because of the high cost of this phone, the low deductible ($85, I believe) and the fact that any used ones that are available are almost the price of a new phone, I definitely recommend the insurance at this time. I definitely signed up for it.

ciper is also correct about Metro being great if you usually stay close to home, or only travel to other Metro markets. In all my excitement over the Indulge (which is a great phone!) I forgot to point out the one and only caveat you have to remember when considering Metro: Their service is awesome for the price, but if you are out of their coverage area you will have to pay roaming fees of around 14-19 cents per minute (last I checked). And you do need to set that up beforehand, pre pay a balance on your account (called Metro Connect, IIRC) and set up your phone for roaming BEFORE you leave the Metro coverage area. So if you travel a lot, then Metro might not be for you. For me personally though, it's great. I am around here (Tampa) like 95% of the time anyway, and even when I do travel somewhere, it's usually Orlando, Gainesville, or Jacksonville, and all of those areas now have Metro coverage. I loaded up $50 on my pre-paid balance a few years ago before Metro had service in Gainesville, and I think my balance is down to like $25 now (I almost never use it, but it is there "just in case").

Finally, in re: your thanking me... You are very welcome! Also, the thing you have to remember, when considering Android vs. Apple (in general, as a platform) is this: There are many people out here, like myself, who are long time computer/tech people, with long experience on forums and in the open source "community." We love Android, because it is open source, and we love the power and flexibility of Android, particularly when compared to Apple / iPhone. And part of that whole open source mindset is being able to go to a forum and get help from "the community." And I think that's just something you are not going to get from Apple.

 

[tiede]

That's some good advice falling down here!

One more major thing though: not to burst your bubble yet, but know that the current battery life on the indulge is way below par. There's hope that maybe we'll nix it for a bigger one with more amps, but for now, its 1500mAh one doesn't even come close to being 4g friendly...

 

[cruncho1]

That's some good advice falling down here!

One more major thing though: not to burst your bubble yet, but know that the current battery life on the indulge is way below par. There's hope that maybe we'll nix it for a bigger one with more amps, but for now, its 1500mAh one doesn't even come close to being 4g friendly...

to be nice if you go to either windows or better yest android you will never miss the sour apples... lol

Batt life... not great on any 4g phone right now that you cannot shut 4g off on when not needed...

one more thought.. in today's economy yes if you root a phone that cost say 300 or 500.. and get one year out of it before you want an upgrade.. you will not lose as you got the year and some cash back on e-bay... yes even for me money is tight these days but if I even get only 6 months for 300 and it breaks and i have no warranty as i rooted it.. i have to think about the inflation and economy.. i will have spent way more that that 300 on silly stuff any way.. so all is relative I guess.

as far as the system... Indulge is a solid little computer.... it will ROCK one it can be freed of the limitations placed on it by Samsung- ware and metro-ware and run clean Android... it's very good now.. it will be great then.. heck it's faster that 2 of my neighbors laptops

 

[machinestatic]

Wow, guys. Now there are so many good replies I can't even pick one to quote and reply to. CALM THE F DOWN. Just kidding.

Well here's my situation: I live in Cambridge, Massachusetts (near MIT, Harvard, etc.) which is a solid urban area, and I work in Boston (near the Prudential/Hancock towers) so that is solid too. I'm sure 4G will be blazing, and I work in an office so I can charge the battery off USB as much as I need to. However, here's the fun part: I went into Best Buy last night and the salesman I got (who happened to be the store manager and ex-Mobile manager) said, "I don't recommend MetroPCS, because if you travel for an event, wedding, etc. outside of their data coverage, it does NOT roam. So you'll get no internet at all. Personally, I have an Evo 4G and I recommend it."

So I'd have to say, one of my only real concerns now is the lack of data roaming. I would have the phone for far longer than 7 days, before going anywhere where I'd be able to judge if the coverage area pisses me off. On the other hand, the HTC on Sprint is cheaper, still $20/month cheaper than my iPhone, and the cost of the early termination fee would ironically be the same as the difference between the Galaxy Indulge and Evo price tags. And I believe they roam on Verizon.

Oh, and another concern is the warranty plans: this could just be me poorly judging MetroPCS, but I have a feeling if your PCS phone breaks they'll take a week to mail you a new one... whereas Sprint or Best Buy would just hand you a refurb/new phone over the counter. Am I wrong? Maybe I'm just spoiled by AppleCare right now, which I have to admit has been great. ("Oh, your phone restarts by itself for no reason? Let me see - yes, you're right! Here is a brand new phone sealed in plastic to take home. Bye.")

Maybe I should just jailbreak my phone and put an HTC Sense UI clone on it, and hope it doesn't break while I wait for my contract to expire.

 

[TRS-80]

Well, not sure how data roaming works, but I do know that the 4G/LTE is of course only available in very limited areas right now (the core areas of 14 markets, see here: Map of 4G LTE Coverage from MetroPCS (there is even a map of Boston and the surrounding area there)). Outside of that, you would maybe get 1XRTT or maybe no data at all, which is just about the same thing, really. lol But as noted previously, if you travel a lot, and need data during that time, then Metro may not be for you. Of course, you could still get WiFi, which is available at every McDonalds, Starbucks, and other places (and more and more places all the time).

Sorry, can't help with warranty issues, have no first hand experience with that. But there are several peeps around here who actually work for Metro, maybe they know something about that. As a matter of fact, now I'm curious to know for myself as well.

 

[tiede]

Hmmm, also for those who already took the plunge, any of you have a wefi account? WeFi is available on the marketplace and when TRS-80 mentioned wifi, it came to mind...

 

[TRS-80]

So what's WeFi? I googled it and it looks like kind of like the same thing as Metro's Easy WiFi? Maybe less bloated / uses less resources? Yeah, so anybody tried that yet?

I have had a laptop in my work truck for about a year now, and didn't want to shell out for an air card. So whenever I needed the intertubes, I usually would just head to the nearest McDonalds, they are just about everywhere.

 

[Vance Fox]

So what's WeFi? I googled it and it looks like kind of like the same thing as Metro's Easy WiFi? Maybe less bloated / uses less resources? Yeah, so anybody tried that yet?

I have had a laptop in my work truck for about a year now, and didn't want to shell out for an air card. So whenever I needed the intertubes, I usually would just head to the nearest McDonalds, they are just about everywhere.

Your phone searches for wifi signals that are in range of the antenna without extra software to use resources.

The purpose of Wefi is to show you where wifi spots are.

So... Wefi's "extra feature" shows you wifi signals that you aren't near enough to use.

I would say these programs are only needed if you turn your phone's wifi on and can't find a signal and need wifi.

Your concern is that your laptop needs wifi. Why not tether your Indulge to your laptop and use the 4G you already have?

 

[dsrtegl]

As far as data roaming goes, he's PARTIALLY correct.

When you're outside of a 4G area, but still within the 90% of the U.S (or so, check the coverage map) coverage area of metro's partnerships, you will "enjoy" 1x data speeds. Enough to send/receive email and do some light web surfing (Use Opera Mini for best performance).

If you're outside of those areas, you roam mainly on verizon, calls come out of your prepaid account @19 cents per minute, you have no data roaming but texts are still free.

I've been with Metro for 3 years. I put 40 dollars in my roaming account when I opened it and I still have somewhere around 18 bucks in it now, even though I've made several trips throughout the country.... if that tells you anything.

 

[dsrtegl]

One more thought. When I first switched to Metro (after a work-induced $500.00 phone bill with Verizon), coverage was spotty if you were not in one of their select markets. Coverage in LA was so-so, Orange county was not covered, and there would be dead zones where you would roam between the large cities.

Fast forward 3 years and their coverage (albeit 1x data) is about as good as Sprint's, if not better. I had an iPhone from AT&T provided by my employer and frequently my Metro phone would have better coverage than the iPhone.

I've traveled to Ohio and Central Missouri (out in the boonies) and get good coverage there, including data... but mysteriously I could send text but not MMS on a couple of occasions.

Overall, I used to say: "For the price, it's pretty good if you live in a major market". Now, it's more like: "It's really good - especially considering the price - if you can live with 1x data outside the major markets."

As long as you square it in your mind before you leap, you'll be happy. If you go in expecting 10MBPS data coverage in East BFE, you'll be disappointed. I mainly talk, text, email and do a little surfing so blazing fast data is not really a requirement for me. I mainly keep my 4G turned off to save battery and it still fulfills all my requirements. If I want to watch YouTube, I either turn on 4G or WiFi.

YMMV.

 

[machinestatic]

Hey all, I'm just checking in to say I finally cracked and got... the HTC Thunderbolt from Verizon. I decided it's important to me to be able to still get 3G when I am outside a 4G zone, so I forked over the extra cash. So far I'm loving Android; it feels like I was just freed from an Apple/AT&T prison.

Thanks for your help and opinions! I must now obey the protocol of the Internets and move over to the Thunderbolt forum.

P.S. I wrote this on the Phandroid app using SlideIT. Hehe

 

[ciper]

What is your monthly bill?

 

[TRS-80]

Hey all, I'm just checking in to say I finally cracked and got... the HTC Thunderbolt from Verizon. I decided it's important to me to be able to still get 3G when I am outside a 4G zone, so I forked over the extra cash. So far I'm loving Android; it feels like I was just freed from an Apple/AT&T prison.

Thanks for your help and opinions! I must now obey the protocol of the Internets and move over to the Thunderbolt forum.

P.S. I wrote this on the Phandroid app using SlideIT. Hehe

Be gone, ye bourgeois pig! ( I keed, I keed!)

Seriously though, glad we could help you come to an informed decision. At least you have turned from the dark side (Apple/iCrap)!

 

[machinestatic]

What is your monthly bill?

I have to pay approximately 5 million dollars a month. Plus, Verizon will be adopting my first born child from me, if I have ever one.

No, but seriously, my bill will be $90 a month (plus $3 for Verizon visual voicemail and $7 for insurance).

 

[Shabbypenguin]

I have to pay approximately 5 million dollars a month. Plus, Verizon will be adopting my first born child from me, if I have ever one.

No, but seriously, my bill will be $90 a month (plus $3 for Verizon visual voicemail and $7 for insurance).

ouch use google voice, its free visual voicemail