Cell phone Retention Plans

[metallicat]

Damn. I just read that other thread about the two year plans too. Not sure what I'm going to do now. At this rate, I don't think my iPhone is going to last until next year when my contract is up, and I don't really want to pay the full cost of a new phone right now

[MrMastodonFarm]

Google Play
Nexus 4

[MrMastodonFarm]

A royal double post

[metallicat]

I've got zero idea what Google Play is. Your thread on the Nexus is a 700 post behemoth. Can you give me a quick rundown?

And if I was to go a route like this, is the phone totally unlocked as usable with Fido on my existing plan?

[FlameOn]

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

I've got zero idea what Google Play is. Your thread on the Nexus is a 700 post behemoth. Can you give me a quick rundown?

Google play is the equivalent of iTunes from Google and on it you can get a Nexus 4. It's a subsidized performance phone by Google that is top of the line hardware and software but only runs you $300-$350 vs. $700 of a regular phone. Given that Robellus forces you to sign a 2 year contract for a $400 discount on a phone while charging you an additional $15 per month, you save yourself ~$50 - $75 and the contract by buying a Nexus now. Also the phone comes unlocked so you save yourself the $25-$50 unlocking fee the providers charge (if you aren't the type that would do it yourself)

Hope I got my maths right lol.

[MrMastodonFarm]

GooglePlay is Google's online store. Search it and click on devices. A Nexus 4 is still imo one of the best phones on the market. Buying a phone outright is looking to become the norm to avoid these horrible contracts and the Nexus 4 is insanely priced. Looking at 350 for brand new vs 600+.

[metallicat]

So I see it came out late 2012, should I expect another new one later this year?

[cral12]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

GooglePlay is Google's online store. Search it and click on devices. A Nexus 4 is still imo one of the best phones on the market. Buying a phone outright is looking to become the norm to avoid these horrible contracts and the Nexus 4 is insanely priced. Looking at 350 for brand new vs 600+.

What provider/plan would you recommend?
- I don't call that much on cell phone; would like some data but don't need tremendous amount; texting option obviously.
- I am currently with Koodo.
Thanks

[FlameOn]

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

So I see it came out late 2012, should I expect another new one later this year?

Google's refresh cycle follows the October announcement and November release time frames usually. First month the phones are always in crazy short supply.

[metallicat]

Hmm, starting to get interested in this. I'm still confused though as to what would happen with my Fido contract. Would the iPhone sim card work in the Google phone? When my contract finally does expire, what do I do then?

[MrMastodonFarm]

You can do a sim swap, Fido will do that for you, it's usually just ten bucks. When you're contact is finished it just turns into a month-to-month bill.

Read up on the Nexus 4 if you go that route first of course.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by cral12

What provider/plan would you recommend?
- I don't call that much on cell phone; would like some data but don't need tremendous amount; texting option obviously.
- I am currently with Koodo.
Thanks

I can't really recommend a plan or provider for you, look through the various providers and their plans and see what fits your needs.

I'm with Wind Mobile, unlimited everything. When I'm in the wind away zone and roaming I just turn off data and don't worry about calling or txts since it will still be a fraction of what you pay with the big three, bit again totally up to your needs.

Oiler_fan, missed this question sorry. The Nexus 4 is pentaband phone, it will work on any network and is totally unlocked. When you buy it it's yours, not locked to any carrier. Just get the appropriate sim card for your carrier and you're good to go.

They're are drawbacks, though if you're coming for an iPhone 4 you might not care. The Nexus 4 isn't 4G LTE. It uses 3G or Hspda+ for its 4G. Could be a deal breaker, could mean nothing to you.

[starseed]

Originally Posted by drPepper1

Has anyone ever dealt with virgin mobile before?

Their offering a plan for $56.70 after taxes if you have your own phone.
It includes:

Unlimited local calling
Unlimited long distance within Canada
Unlimited text messaging (includes video and pictures)
Voicemail and caller id
2gb data
3way calling

A month ago, I picked up that plan on Bell. I pointed to Virgin's plan, and eventually they gave it to me.

They initially said it would cost me about $80+ a month for the same features, and when I asked them why they thought I wanted to pay a $20+ bonus to them every month, they said I was under contract. I hadn't been on any contract for over a year. They had to fix an error in their system, or so they told me.

Stay vigilant!

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by starseed

A month ago, I picked up that plan on Bell. I pointed to Virgin's plan, and eventually they gave it to me.

They initially said it would cost me about $80+ a month for the same features, and when I asked them why they thought I wanted to pay a $20+ bonus to them every month, they said I was under contract. I hadn't been on any contract for over a year. They had to fix an error in their system, or so they told me.

Stay vigilant!

I love Virgin. Well, except for the customer service/voicemail Aussie lady. I have that exact plan. It's great

[mdubz]

Any tips on what I can do with Rogers? I have an iPhone 4 and want to upgrade, since it's turned into a steaming pile of crap. My plan isn't up until May 2014, so my early upgrade fee at this time is $160, plus the $280 for the new iPhone. Is there anything I can do to bring the upgrade fee down or remove it if possible?

[ken0042]

Have you read the last few pages of the Nexus thread? Unless you are seriously tied to the Apple ecosystem, you can get yourself a Nexus when the new one comes out. The early cost predictions have it lower than what you would pay for your early termination and getting a new iPhone under contract.

Plus you can keep your existing plan, instead of having to increase the price to $70 per month.

[mdubz]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Have you read the last few pages of the Nexus thread? Unless you are seriously tied to the Apple ecosystem, you can get yourself a Nexus when the new one comes out. The early cost predictions have it lower than what you would pay for your early termination and getting a new iPhone under contract.

Plus you can keep your existing plan, instead of having to increase the price to $70 per month.

Sorry, not looking to be converted to Android.

[ah123]

Originally Posted by mdubz

Any tips on what I can do with Rogers? I have an iPhone 4 and want to upgrade, since it's turned into a steaming pile of crap. My plan isn't up until May 2014, so my early upgrade fee at this time is $160, plus the $280 for the new iPhone. Is there anything I can do to bring the upgrade fee down or remove it if possible?

It seems like Rogers has gotten stricter with handing out "retention specials". Personally, I would get a used iPhone4s or 5 if I were in your position - they seem to be going for $250-$400.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by mdubz

Any tips on what I can do with Rogers? I have an iPhone 4 and want to upgrade, since it's turned into a steaming pile of crap. My plan isn't up until May 2014, so my early upgrade fee at this time is $160, plus the $280 for the new iPhone. Is there anything I can do to bring the upgrade fee down or remove it if possible?

Either see if you can negotiate the upgrade fee down, wait for a couple months or buy a used iPhone in the meantime.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by mdubz

Sorry, not looking to be converted to Android.

Then you're gonna' bend over for Apple.