> So: ATT = $3560 - with only 5GB data
> T-Mobile = $2330 - With unlimited data
thanks for the analysis, very helpful
so, ATT costs $50 a month MORE than Tmobile.
for the extra $50, ATT provides 4G and in some areas also LTE. Meanwhile Tmobile provides unlimited EDGE data, that is so painfully slow, you won't be able to use it, and will end up on WIFI all the time.
So, IF you use WIFI all the time, Tmobile is a better deal.
IF you actually use your iPhone to connect to Data off wifi, then ATT is MUCH more useful, and as you said, that much more expensive.
Of course, 2 years from now, when Im out of contract on my subsidized iPhone 5 with ATT, I could move to Tmobile, IF they have their LTE network working in my area by then.
I agree ATT's data plan is NOT unlimited. My unlimited plan, old and grandfathered, drops to EDGE speeds when I exceed 5gigs of data..
So, would I rather have unlimited EDGE with Tmobile, and save $50, or 5gigs of 4g and LTE data speeds on ATT. I chose to go with a company that provides 4g and LTE. I am not willing to have a plan that only gives EDGE or 3G speeds..
I did some speed tests
my ATT iPhone 5 goes 14 to 33mbps on LTE, it does about 4 to 6 mbps on 4G, and it does .5mbps throttled
I used to get 1mbps on my iPhone 3GS, and my home wifi gives me about 6mbps
> T-Mobile - 3 Lines, Unlimited Voice/Text, 5GB Data + Hotspot
$199.99
> AT&T - 3 Lines, Unlimited Voice/Text, 6GB Data + Hotspot
$195.00
hmmmm, I guess were not comparing apples and apples
. I mean, the Tmobile plan, will give SUPER slow data on an iPhone. Unless you mean, use a non iPhone on Tmobile, then yes, you could get fast data.. but not on iPhone.
> Honestly unless T-Mobile has poor coverage in your area or 2G only, there's really no other reason to choose any of the other 3 carriers once they finally get the iPhone.
I agree : T-Mobile DOES have very poor coverage in my area and 2G only on iPhone. There is no reason to go with Tmobile, unless you don't plan to use data off wifi. In which case, maybe you don't need a smartphone with a data plan at all.
> I wonder whether they will be locked or unlocked? If sold at full price, then i would hope unlocked.
It is VERY easy and inexpensive to unlock an ATT iPhone. I have unlocked my ATT iPhone 5. The unlock cost $3.15 from Unlock Fusion
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Unlock-Code...836?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ec370795c
> Unlimited Data $9.99 / line
Unlimited EDGE or 3g is not very impressive. I will be interested when Tmobile offers unlimited LTE on iPhone.