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

Sprint vs. AT&T Opinions/Experiences

J

jslanger

Member
Wondered if any of the Sprint Samsung Galaxy S II/Epic 4G Touch users would give me their opinion:

I am currently an AT&T iPhone 3GS customer. I would like to get the SGSII of some sort, either AT&T or Sprint. I've been pretty pleased with my AT&T service in the Washington, DC metro area, as well as a few other places around the country that I've traveled to. I've never really had any complaints, despite the lowest ranking Consumer Reports gave to AT&T in DC.

Obviously service will vary depending on location, but I was wondering if any of you Sprint owners out there would give their opinion/experiences with this phone on the Sprint network, and any comparisons that you can make.

(I will note that I can currently buy the Sprint version a bit cheaper online, and, although the service on Sprint ends up $5 more per month, it adds unlimited Text and unlimited calls to any mobile phone...plus I'd get a somewhat better deal based on my employer which would actually drop the price further)

Thanks for your thoughts and opinions!
 
From my experiences with both networks, AT&T's 3G network is much faster when you can get a signal which obviously depends on your location. But I've never, EVER had a dropped call on Sprint even with like one bar of service whereas I would have dropped calls on AT&T with full bars.

If you're happy with AT&T service and it's cheaper, why not buy the Galaxy S2 on AT&T?
 
Location varies with sprint on my epic no drop calls good speeds 1.7mbps download sometimes as high as 2.5mbps im satisfied try sprint for a week if not u can get ur money back
 
Have you considered the galaxy nexus on Verizon? They seem to have the best coverege, where I live at least. The cost is a little more, but I wish I were still on Verizon.
 
I've had experience with ATT, and I will say that I'm much more happy with Sprint. In addition to saving a lot of money, Sprint's service and coverage is much better. I travel a lot, and don't think I'd ever go back to ATT's network.
 
Sprint's service varies greatly from place to place, where I live it is pretty slow and I have low bars, but I haven't dropped a call.
 
Dude your in the exact same boat I was in. I was with AT&T and had the iphone 3gs. Now I'm with sprint. Customer service is way better with sprint I can tell you that much. The galaxy s2 is superior to the iphone to me. Reasons bigger brighter screen. Lighter. Faster. Complete customization of your phone without having to be "jail broken"like the iphone. Its really just the perfect phone. However I will admit the iphones gps system locates quicker.
 
As far as signal goes between the two id have to say its a tie. Reason being with sprint I have service literally everywhere but I've had at least 4 or 5 dropped calls. With AT&T I didn't have service in some places where sprint does, but I don't ever remember a call being dropped.
 
These are generalizations since networks vary from location to location, but...
For data, AT&T is faster.
For voice, Sprint seems to have better, more consistent coverage nationwide... largely because they have roaming agreements with Verizon.

Here in the midwest AT&T coverage is decent enough in metro areas but interstate coverage is just OK and rural coverage is pretty much non-existent. They are improving things but the CDMA carriers really do have a pretty big lead on them.

I'd be on Verizon but to access my work email/calendar I have to pay an additional $15/mo with them. Verizon does have a great network but they seem to nickel and dime you to death.
 
You have a 14 day return with Sprint. Before you leave at&t, get the e4gt and try it out. If your experience is below what you've come to expect with at&t, return the e4gt, cancel the service and get your at&t sgII. You might have to pay a bit for the service overlap, but that's a small price to pay for not making a regretful mistake. Good luck either way!
 
I left ATT for 2 reasons. First, they didn't have the Epic Touch. Secondly, for comparable plans, Sprint charged $20 less. My ATT coverage was spotty in greater north Boston, nonexistent in my house or back yard. After 11 years with them, I gave them the chance to make me an upgrade deal on iphone 4s but they were indifferent. Seeya.
 
jslanger said:
Wondered if any of the Sprint Samsung Galaxy S II/Epic 4G Touch users would give me their opinion:

I am currently an AT&T iPhone 3GS customer. I would like to get the SGSII of some sort, either AT&T or Sprint. I've been pretty pleased with my AT&T service in the Washington, DC metro area, as well as a few other places around the country that I've traveled to. I've never really had any complaints, despite the lowest ranking Consumer Reports gave to AT&T in DC.

Obviously service will vary depending on location, but I was wondering if any of you Sprint owners out there would give their opinion/experiences with this phone on the Sprint network, and any comparisons that you can make.
Click to expand...

In my experience Sprint reception in DC/Baltimore is very good. You also get 4G access here with the SGSII, which is considerably faster than what you've gotten with your iPhone3GS on AT&T.

I'm in the rural suburbs of Baltimore (farm country of Howard County) so my Sprint service is spotty at home. I go on roaming in my kitchen at the back of the house, but have 3 bars in my bedroom in the front of the house. I'm on 3G only here and the speeds are mediocre (300kbps tops). But if I go further east toward Ellicott City, I get 3-7mbps on 4G.

In downtown DC, I've gotten 1.5mbps on 3G in a hotel. Other than that I don't have much experience in that city. I mostly go to Baltimore.

Sprint's coverage map shows good 3G service all throughout Arlington with 4G service penetrating buildings closer to the city.

Only other thing I'd add is if you are staying with AT&T wait for their Galaxy SII LTE version to come out. It has a faster processor, bigger screen and is pretty much a clone of the Spring Epic 4G. Their HSPA+ version is only 4.3" and is a clone of the international version of the phone which came out the beginning of the year. I believe Samsung tweaked the Galaxy SII for the later Sprint release in September. SO AT&T will get the benefit of that tweak for the LTE version.
 
ravenas said:
In my experience Sprint reception in DC/Baltimore is very good. You also get 4G access here with the SGSII, which is considerably faster than what you've gotten with your iPhone3GS on AT&T.

I'm in the rural suburbs of Baltimore (farm country of Howard County) so my Sprint service is spotty at home. I go on roaming in my kitchen at the back of the house, but have 3 bars in my bedroom in the front of the house. I'm on 3G only here and the speeds are mediocre (300kbps tops). But if I go further east toward Ellicott City, I get 3-7mbps on 4G.

In downtown DC, I've gotten 1.5mbps on 3G in a hotel. Other than that I don't have much experience in that city. I mostly go to Baltimore.

Sprint's coverage map shows good 3G service all throughout Arlington with 4G service penetrating buildings closer to the city.

Only other thing I'd add is if you are staying with AT&T wait for their Galaxy SII LTE version to come out. It has a faster processor, bigger screen and is pretty much a clone of the Spring Epic 4G. Their HSPA+ version is only 4.3" and is a clone of the international version of the phone which came out the beginning of the year. I believe Samsung tweaked the Galaxy SII for the later Sprint release in September. SO AT&T will get the benefit of that tweak for the LTE version.
Click to expand...

Thats actually part of my dilemma that I didn't bring into this discussion--I have been waiting for the LTE version to come out (actually coming tomorrow--Sunday--...AND Washington, DC is going live on ATT's LTE network then too). So, really, my options are: ATT for SGSII or SGSII LTE, or Sprint for SGSII/E4GT...

I don't NEED LTE, but it does somewhat future-proof the phone as HSPA+ isn't true 4G, nor is Sprint's "4G", which I believe they are eventually planning on upgrading to LTE in the next year or so...

In the DC region, people like that Sprint/Verizon get great service in the Metro stations which is nice. If AT&T hadn't put a repeater on the roof of the hospital I work at I would definitely have gone to Sprint (since they were the only company to get service in the building without having to go stand by a window). Overall, I think both companies have good coverage in the areas I need (NoVA, DC, MD suburbs).

Thanks all for your opinions, they all bring up good points. Keep them coming!
 
I was with Verizon and switched to Sprint to save money. Big mistake for me, coverage was horrible and data speeds were horrible. I ended up swithing to AT&T for only five bucks more. I get great service and a lot faster data speeds.

I think Verizon was the best, but I didn't like paying so much but do miss LTE.

I would say try Sprint if you can, if their service is good for you it is cheap. I don't care what carrier it is or what problems people have, as long as it is good for me.
 
Probably just need to talk to people in the area where you want service. In ATL I love sprint. Data speeds are acceptable, I get 4G, never drop calls. Also have to love those roaming agreements with Verizon. When I am traveling through the "boonies", I always have service when my ATT/Tmobile friends do not. Have also felt like Sprints customer service is better since they really cannot afford to lose customers. From what I have seen ATT is not so quick to budge at the threat of canceling.
 
I was in this same situation when the Galaxy S2 came out. I went to the local AT&T store the day it was released and was told they didn't receive any and they were told a couple days prior that the Houston area wouldn't even be receiving the phone. I looked a couple other places, too, and that seemed to be the case. No answers why, just that for whatever reason they didn't bring it to the Houston area. Maybe it's because of the LTE network rollout, but they still don't even have an LTE phone as far as I know, so that doesn't seem likely. Also, I signed up to receive email alerts about the phone from AT&T and still haven't seen one. They did a terrible job about announcing the release date for the GS2 as well. All of this combined in making my decision to leave them for Sprint.

So far I've been happy with Sprint. I don't get a great signal at home, but calls have been clear. And when you can connect to 4G, it's smoking fast.

I also upgraded from the 3GS. The Galaxy S2 blows it way out of the water. It's faster (by a wide margin), has a much better screen (probably not as good as the 4 or 4S, but it's a heck of a lot bigger) and I like the Android OS. I found iOS to be a little stale. There just isn't much you can do to customize your phone. With Android, there are numerous ways to make it unique to you. And that's even without rooting.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom