Social Media & Technology

Three Reasons I Won’t Get the New Verizon iPhone

Posted by on Jan 11, 2011 | 12 Comments

I have been on Verizon most of my (adult) life. I flirted with ATT and an iPhone in 2008 for a few weeks, but quickly bailed on our relationship during a music festival in Seattle. During one of the evenings after a show at the festival, I needed to make an emergency call to 9-1-1, but the network was so congested I couldn’t even connect to the network to call for help. (Don’t worry – everything turned out OK.) Thanks to Verizon, I have had stable service ever since, and though I didn’t ever think I could ever love a phone again after ditching my iPhone, And even though I now have the option to switch to a Verizon iPhone on February 10th, I’m happy to say I’m now committed to my Samsung Fascinate. I won’t even entertain the idea of switching to the new Verizon iPhone. Here’s three reasons why I won’t get the Verizon iPhone:

Cost
My Verizon Samsung Fascinate, with standard 8gb of removable data (think music) is part of a family plan – not only was the phone itself free as part of promotion by Best Buy last year, but the line itself only costs under $30 for unlimited data, text, and talk. A 16gb Verizon iPhone will cost $199.99 plus whatever the plan will be for unlimited data and talk on my family plan (I’m sure it will be be more than the current “smartphone” data and talk plans.)

Customer Service
One of my favorite things about the iPhone was dedicated customer service. (Let’s not talk about the other end of the customer service when I bailed due to not being able to reach 9-1-1 that horrible day). There is a team at ATT that is dedicated to resolving iPhone issues; advanced problems can be resolved at the Genius Bar at Apple, but for problems such as not knowing there is button on the side that switches the phone to airplane mode (oops) they are very knowledgable and helpful. After all, they’ve been doing this for years. I’m not sure Verizon will be as resourceful right off the bat about Apple products. Androids, however, have been their game for awhile- and I trust them to answer questions about products running the Android platform.

Performance and Specs
The iPhone performs many functions that many phones just can’t do. However, after nearly three months with my Android, I can only think of a few minor things that differ from the iPhone – and many of these can be worked around with a few tricks. While the iPhone can be easily synced with iTunes, a Droid requires a little work to make this happen. However, both feature pushed email and messaging, and Androids actually feature more ways to input text with the keyboard. Androids also feature widgets, which is one of the ways users can improve and customize the user experience. The graphic display is also much more advanced on my Samsung Fascinate. It is important to note that the Verizon iPhone is nearly identical to the one currently available with ATT, and while the Verizon iPhone can be a WiFi hotspot for up to five computers, the Verizon iPhone can only tether to one computer. The Verizon iPhone also isn’t LTE, so it’s 3G – a huge bummer.

Are you on Verizon and will get the new Verizon iPhone? Would you switch from another network for the Verizon iPhone?

  • Alissa

    I totally agree with you on this. I had an Iphone for less than a month, and had problems with it. I hated the fact that you had to go through Apple to get anything resolved. The Iphone was pretty cool, but it wasn’t worth the headache that’s called Apple. I have a Samsung Fascinate too, and I love it. You have more space on it, and a lot more freedom. I’m sticking with my Droid

  • Gary

    Had a Samsung Fasinate for about 2 mths and I would never consider anything else. The 4 inch super amoled screen is super clear. The apps are out of this world, and haven’t had to pay for any I needed. Only $50 to upgrade from HTC after only 2 yrs of use and unlimited data, text and 5 number family plan.

  • David K.

    A few things.

    1) Cost, the data plans aren’t going to be more than $30. Also $199 for the cost of the phone is more than $0, thats true, but its a drop in the bucket compared to the price of both phones over the life of a contract.

    2) Support, Apple consistently has the highest support ratings of any company according to mutliple sources, including Consumer Reports. If you have a problem with your iPhone you can walk into an Apple store and they will help you. If you are under warranty and didn’t do something foolish like break the phone yourself, they will hand you a new one right there. When dealing with Verizon the picture is not nearly as rosy, you usually have to send phones back to the manufacturer for warranty service (same is true of ATT) and depending on where you bought they phone (Verizon store, Verizon authorized dealer, Best Buy/Radio Shack) etc. they might not even be able to help you at all.

    3) Widgets – The one thing I wish the iPhone would do that Android and now WinPhone7 devices do is the widget idea on the homescreen. So that is definitely a plus for those platforms over the iPhone.

    4) Upgrades. I have an iPhone 4, assuming I were to keep it for more than a year (i tend to upgrade annually) I know that it would support the next two major OS upgrades at least and possibly more. The original iPhone, released in 2007 is the only model that you can’t upgrade to the latest OS. And if you get an iPhone you KNOW you can upgrade, unlike Android phones which are at the mercy of the various carriers. Not only are many Android phones not upgraded after the fact, but they are still selling phones using OLD OS versions.

    5) Screen. Having seen the two side by side I can’t imagine how you think the Fascinate as the better screen, the clarity and crispness of the iPhone 4′s display is astounding. The readibility of even tiny text on the iPhone is great compared to the more pixelated Android phone, and the readibility in sunlight is better too. I guess its a personal preference thing, but its not really fair to call it more advanced. Different sure, but not more advanced.

    6) Apps – Android has apps the iPhone doesn’t/won’t, and if those apps are necessities for you then the decision is easy. But when it comes to over all quality of apps, the iPhone wins hands down. Not to mention on the iPhone paid apps where you aren’t pestered by ads is actually a reality. Due to rampant piracy, knock offs, and almost no policing of the Android app store, selling apps on that side is a very weak proposition, so even hugely sucesful apps like Angry Birds are ad supported only on Android. Not to mention its hit or miss whether the app will be supported on your particular phone.

  • David K.

    Couple more things

    The wireless hotspot sharing will work with up to 5 devices just like on Android.

    No SIM slot means the phone is really and truly limited to just the U.S. unlike the ATT version which can at least be jailbroken/unlocked and work internationally.

  • http://visuex.com Michael Tunnell

    I never got an iPhone because I HATE AT&T but now that it is on Verizon…I still wont get it because I hate Apple. :)

    I’m a Linux advocate and since Android is written on linux I prefer that OS. Though I am currently using a Palm Pre but that wont be for long. WebOS has a terrible selection of apps so not staying with this system eventhough it had outstanding potential.

    The iPhone just isn’t worth the cost to me no matter what carrier it is on but I am glad Verizon has it now so it takes a big bite out of AT&T.

  • James

    I’m actually somewhat concerned about the adopters of the new iPhone causing congestion on Verizon’s network. I just switched to Verizon from Sprint – mainly for VZW’s offer of Mobile Hotspot on my beloved Palm devices. I’d hate to see my mobile bandwidth choked by the burden of additional users. I have faith that Verizon is prepared for the influx of data, but only time will tell in the end.

  • Tim

    I think many people just drank the Kool-Aid. They truly believe that “i”-anything is superior. The iPhone was created for Soccer Moms. You really don’t get the ability to customize/tailor it that much. You are restricted (good or bad) the their APP store. It is not 4G capable right now (VZN is CDMA with LTE being rolled out). Yes, if you’re buying it for super pic quality, then that’s the phone for you. I’ll put my DROID X up against the iPhone any day. The larger screen is really nice. Gorilla Glass, incredible. A LOT of APPs available – many exactly like the iPhone. The Android APPS are being developed very quickly and making ground on iPhone APPS. I like having control over my phone and being able to change a LOT of settings to my liking. It will only get better once MOTO removes MOTO Blur. I think people should actually go to the VZN store and put these phones side by side before just drinking that Kool-Aid.

  • David K.

    @Tim

    I’m a software tester, video game player and tech enthusiast. I’m no soccer mom, yet the iPhone works great for me. And for most people. Most people don’t care about customizing beyond things like wallpaper, ringtones, and cases. The iPhone can do all three.

    As for the App store, yes there are some limitations, but those limitations only REALLY affect a fraction of the hard core users out there. Most people, and not just the soccer moms, but most people don’t need or care about “open”. They want a device that jsut works. They want to go to the app store, find an app and download it and be confident that it won’t require constant tweaking, potentially expose them to threats, etc.

    As for the apps themselves, the quality on Android is not the same for a number of reasons. 1, you can’t make money as easily on Android because of the problems with Google’s total hands off approach to the app store. Piracy and spoofing are rampant. The AngryBirds app is add supported only because it wouldn’t work as a paid app on Android. On top of that Android apps lack UI consistency. Plus, because of the lack of oversight from Google, a number of apps have been found to be sending user info back to the developer with no notice to the user. Thats not good.

    If the Droid or some other Android phone works for you, great, nothing wrong with that. For some people there are features the iPhone doesn’t/never will have that they need. But then there are people who need 4×4 heavy duty trucks, not a lot, but some. The rest of us are pretty good with your standard 4-door sedan. It might not be able to haul as much but it gets better gas mileage, seats more, and has better handling.

    Just FYI, when other people prefer a product different than you, accusing them of “drinking the Kool-Aid” is offensive and ineffective at changing anyones mind. Could be that most people find that the iPhone fits better into their needs than a Droid. Could be they are ok with a curated App store vs an “open” one because it saves them hassles later. Given the satisfaction and switch ratings that say more people are happier with and more likely to buy an iPhone than an Android I’d say its just a prefered product by most people. More people prefer Coke to Pepsi last time I saw the stats. Doesn’t mean Pepsi sucks (I prefer it) or that Coke fans are “drinking the cool-aid”. Just means they have different tastes and priorities.

  • Anonymous

    I went with the iPhone 4 because I got a 3GS for work and really the difference in the screen can make you go spent the extra bucks even the camera is makes it a great addition, I got it on Verizon an I know iPhone 5 is coming out but I could still sell this phone for 400$ when the new one comes out and I wouldn’t have to spent the much to get another and I would be enjoying the iPhone all this time , so that’s cool with me :) if you going for a 2 year agreement you should get the iPhone 4 you would still have support for iOS 5 most likely and the 3 gs probably got the last update now so no worth it, I know the price sounds tempting but in 12 months you going to think why didn’t you get the 4 instead

  • Anonymous

    I went with the iPhone 4 because I got a 3GS for work and really the difference in the screen can make you go spent the extra bucks even the camera is makes it a great addition, I got it on Verizon an I know iPhone 5 is coming out but I could still sell this phone for 400$ when the new one comes out and I wouldn’t have to spent the much to get another and I would be enjoying the iPhone all this time , so that’s cool with me :) if you going for a 2 year agreement you should get the iPhone 4 you would still have support for iOS 5 most likely and the 3 gs probably got the last update now so no worth it, I know the price sounds tempting but in 12 months you going to think why didn’t you get the 4 instead

  • http://twitter.com/scarboy6693 Sahil Arora

    Personally I’d say iPhone 4. One thing you forgot to mention was the display, the most important part of a phone. If you’re going to be reading text, nothing beats the retina display as far as clarity goes. Another thing is that the 3GS is probably going to be phased out in the coming months. The next iPhone is probably 2 months away, so I’d say just hang on to your BB until june. Odds are the iPhone 4 will drop down to $99 then too.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=6606819 Noah Gauthier

    You should write about the fluoride they put in tap water….now that’s outrageous!

    The Fluoride used is put in tap water because its an expensive TOXIC POLLUTION to get rid of safely….FROM THE PHOSPHATE FERTILIZER INDUSTRY no less!

    so they convince people its good for your teeth and put it in toothpastes and get it indorsed by the ADA and Voila! People actually WANT Fluoride in their tap water!! Even though it does nothing good for your teeth when you ingest it by drinking fluoridated tap water!!

    Wood pulp seems like the least to worry about compared to Fluoride, Mercury (Thimirisol) in Vaccines, Genetically Modified Organisms, High fructose corn syrup, aspartame (splenda & nutrisweet) and many other “Ingredients” that are very harmful to one’s health.