Comparison of iPhone 4S Service Plans for AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon

[baummer]

I suppose the kind of "idiots" who don't want data hogs downloading 12gb of data, slowing down the network for everyone else, and only paying $10 to support the network they're putting so much load on. I'm not saying that no one ever has a use for that much data. Some people do. That's fine -- those some people should pay more.

Honestly, I do NOT understand the aversion to pay-by-usage in this country. If you're using a larger share of the pipe than other people, why should you not pay more than other people? It works that way for electricity, water, gas, trash (in a lot of places), even cell service when you're talking about texting or voice. Pretty much every other utility I pay for is pay-by-usage. Why should internet be so different? Local calls on land-line telephones are the one exception, but they are so overpriced to start with, it's not a good example.

Has it occurred to you that if you were charged by the MB instead of by the Mbps, they could uncap Mbps? (at least partially) Food for thought...

I think the problem is that there aren't any good, solid pay-by-usage plans available. There's a catch with the current pay-as-you-go options.

 

[Certinfy]

For those in the UK, is Three's One Plan still the best value?

Inclusive UK voice minutes: 2000 mins
Inclusive UK text messages: 5000 texts
Three-to-Three UK calls: 5000 mins
Internet Allowance: All-you-can-eat Data (Totally unlimited inc Personal Hotspot)

£69 ($106) for iPhone + £35/Month ($54/Month)

Yes. Really hope they do the same deal for the 4S, only way I'll get it on contract rather than sim-free.

Doubt we'll see a better deal than that for a long time.

 

[interrobang]

(to all you college students out there), go with ATT with no texting.

Yeah, great way to save money for all the college students with no social lives.

For most people under twenty-five, texting is the most important part of owning a cellular phone; it's the way they communicate among themselves. After that comes data (Facebook!) They might occasionally make a voice call once in a while.

To their parents. To ask for money. To pay their cell phone bill.

 

[Krayzie116]

Hey guys, think AT&T will be open if call for pre-order for the iPhones 4S at 1:01am since I'm mountain time? how does this time thing work, do we go off what Apple's time of 12:01am PST time which is 1:01 mountain time. Or can I call at 12am Mountain time with AT&T?

This is my first time pre-ordering it this early last time I order it was around 9am mountain time. Thanks for you guys help

 

[topmounter]

I'll never understand how people manage to consistently use multiple GB's per month on their phone (without tethering)... of course I'm sure Optometrists rejoice at the thought.

 

[southernpaws]

I think I've said this before but I just can't help wondering how seriously high the prices are on the other side of the pond.

99 USD/month for unlimited data? Over 100 USD/month for 12 GB? That's a joke here in Finland, where you can get unlimited data (speed/amount) for like 15 EUR/month. Oh and that includes mobile hotspot (the carriers don't even care how we use the connection we've paid for).

A lot less people in finland and a lot less infrastructure to build out. Perhaps I'm jealous in some ways, but there's trade offs

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yeah, great way to save money for all the college students with no social lives.

For most people under twenty-five, texting is the most important part of owning a cellular phone; it's the way they communicate among themselves. After that comes data (facebook!) they might occasionally make a voice call once in a while.

To their parents. To ask for money. To pay their cell phone bill.

ftw

 

[iMerik]

A lot of monthly charges will shock you when you simply multiply them by 12, which is something everyone should do when deciding whether they can afford a recurring cost.

I have access to this discount:
http://www.searsholdings.com/business/thirdparty/3rdPartyDiscounts.pdf

On VZW, I currently share 700 minutes across two lines ($60 discounted to $53 + $10 for 2nd line) and both lines have 250 texts each ($5 * 2) for a total after taxes, etc of $81.21/month.

I'm debating on VZW vs. ATT right now. If ATT's coverage wasn't questionable, I don't think I would be able to justify staying with VZW. Other than reliability (which is huge), what does VZW have over ATT if I am looking to do a family plan with one extra line, both with the data and the smallest texting package?

 

[iEvolution]

These prices are just ridiculous, services like iCloud will never take off with carriers charging so much for bandwidth.

 

[burnout8488]

Any Sprint SERO users in here? I'm going to be activating a 4S for $50 a month. (iOS devices now require the $10 premium data fee, sucks)

An EChat rep confirmed that SERO-P users will be able to activate the iPhone.

Unlimited data, unlimited SMS, 500 minutes, unlimited mobile to mobile. I'm a very happy boy.

 

[HiRez]

Hey guys, think AT&T will be open if call for pre-order for the iPhones 4S at 1:01am since I'm mountain time? how does this time thing work, do we go off what Apple's time of 12:01am PST time which is 1:01 mountain time. Or can I call at 12am Mountain time with AT&T?

This is my first time pre-ordering it this early last time I order it was around 9am mountain time. Thanks for you guys help

It goes by Pacific Time no matter where you are, so yes, you should be able to pre-order at 1am Mountain Time, 2am Central Time, or 3am Eastern Time (Hawaiians get lucky with 9pm). In theory, at least. If you really want to be sure, I'd call your AT&T store today and ask them (although that assumes they know in the store, which also may not be true).

EDIT: Oops, Hawaii is 9pm, not 9am

 

[Donstil-nl]

Will there be à verdien withouten carrier? Just like now with THE iPhone4
(never lock)

I want to buy one in THE states but i want to use my own sim.

 

[kntgsp]

Good lord to Americans get absolutely raped on data plans.

Unreal O_O

 

[Rot'nApple]

Well hopefully that will stop the "Sprint is more expensive than AT&T!" people from yapping. Also I want to cry after I saw how much I pay yearly for a stupid phone.

edit: Also note that only the 2GB/data plan is slightly more expensive than Sprint. Add on the top tier (Since Sprint is currently truly unlimited) and let's see the price difference.

Like Rush said today on his radio show when commenting on Steve's passing, (paraphrasing) 'Steve was a genius at parting you from your money, which is why he was a success.'

Regarding those phone plans, as a favorite expression of a friend of mine would say, "Excuse me?! I don't think so!"

That is why my phone is a dumb phone and my phone plan leaves money in da bank!!!
/
/
/

 

[Krayzie116]

It goes by Pacific Time no matter where you are, so yes, you should be able to pre-order at 1am Mountain Time, 2am Central Time, or 3am Eastern Time (Hawaiians get lucky with 9am). In theory, at least. If you really want to be sure, I'd call your AT&T store today and ask them (although that assumes they know in the store, which also may not be true).

Thanks Bro for replying back, the closest AT&T store is like 60miles I was going to call AT&T derict like 611 to pre-order. Kinda nervous though cause i'm on a small busines with premier don't know if i will be able to get through if there department is closed.

 

[cfedu]

I thought Canadians had it bad. my Rogers plan is half the cost of these plans.
Plus free tethering of my 6gb of data.

 

[lilj4425]

Good lord to Americans get absolutely raped on data plans.

Unreal O_O

Yeah but our gas prices are lower.

 

[PeterQVenkman]

The chart leaves off texting, which AT&T charges a 20 cents each, or $20/month unlimited. No in between.

At least Verizon makes a half-assed effort with their $5 for 250 messages / month.

Do any of these carriers let you buy the phone outright, and use whatever plan you want? Can you drop the data?

Yeah but our gas prices are lower.

Yeah, but out politicians find other ways to rape us.

 

[swissmann]

So expensive! So each carrier getting as close as you can to unlimited talk, text, and data are at least $109 per month and maybe as much as $215. T-mobile is only $50. Reluctantly but firmly, I'm staying with my first Generation iPhone 8 GB and T-mobile and spending my $1,400 to $3,900 per 2 year contract period on something else - like a few new macs.

 

[Bwinski]

Comparative pricing....

The chart, produced by PC mag that you and others are publishing IS WRONG!!! The Sprint web site says 'UNLIMITED DATA', not for $10 more you get unlimited.... What you have posted here IS A LIE.

 

[MacVixen]

Remember Sprint's 450 minutes are Land Line. Mobile to Mobile is unlimited no matter the carrier.

I have unlimited mobile to mobile (any carrier) on AT&T, so they offer it as well...

 

[mjtomlin]

Sprint's unlimited data only applies on their network... WTF does that mean? Does Sprint 3G roam often? How much are you charged for off network data usage? I don't see any info on that.

I think I'm going with AT&T; 450 minutes, unlimited text, 4gb data with tethering for $104.99/month.

This way I could use my iPad when I'm no where near WiFi.


Now, let's just hope AT&T's system doesn't have a meltdown this morning!!!

 

[Optimouse^^]

I just got off the phone with AT&T, and they said I would loose my unlimited plan (which I have had since my iPhone 3G) if I upgraded. The rep said you cannot keep your unlimited data plans when you buy a new phone.

Can anyone confirm this? I was pretty surprised to hear it.

Thanks!

I'll be buying the iPhone 4S staying with my AT&T unlimited from my Oct 2009 iPhone 3Gs purchase.

First, I want simultaneous web/phone capability. Many people call me asking me to check something online while speaking to them away from home.

Second, my Unlimited Data and Unlimited Text costs me 98.00/month cheaper than Sprint!

 

[Dobiewonkanobie]

How about offering a data plan WITHOUT a voice plan? I don't even need 450 minutes. $60+ for a voice plan I hardly need is ridiculous.

Give me 100 minutes, charge me $20, $15 for 1500 texts. Plus the data plan.

This system is like buying cable with 900 channels and only watching 10 of them with any regularity.

 

[Optimouse^^]

Not according to the AT&T rep I just spoke to. I'm so pissed off about that. They will not honor the plan you are on if you upgrade.

I currently have a iPhone 4 with AT&T that I got at launch in June 2010. I kept my $30 unlimited data plan. I also have a $5 for 200 messages TXT plan. Am I going to be able to keep those when I get a iPhone 4S? I will be eligible in November.

 

[TheMarc]

These prices are just ridiculous, services like iCloud will never take off with carriers charging so much for bandwidth.

Wow! I thought we paid too much here in Canada.. We do, but ***** you guys get screwed even more in the US it seems!!

Isn't there some kind of agency to regulate/watch over competition and prices? If it seems no consumer/consumer agencies have the power to do so, it might be other companies (Apple, Amazon, etc.) who have interest in these prices coming down that will have to do the work..