A while back I wrote about the rumors of the iPhone coming to Verizon because I am currently under contract with Verizon, so the rumors piqued my curiosity. While that has yet to happen, Google just did a press conference today about their new phone called the Nexus One. There have been rumors going around about the Nexus One for a while as well and with leaked photos and videos of it, there has been quite a bit of hype. From everything I have seen it looks to be quite a bit better than Motorola’s DROID
Why not just get a normal phone?
I pretty much have always just gotten the cheapest phone I could – because all I cared about was that it actually made calls. I didn’t need the bells and whistles, etc. But Apple’s iPhone really changed the game. From my experience (playing with different phones) it was the first phone that actually had some legitimate functions that would help me save time and make my life simpler. After having tried a couple palm-pilots in the past, I was disappointed to find that while their intention was good, my productivity was actually worse because of all the time spent setting up the process or using the device. I realized that a pencil and paper (while so primitive) often made my life a little easier. The iPhone was the first device that has made me reconsider what I once believed about devices like this.
So why not just get the iPhone?
I have been eyeballing the iPhone for a while now and all things being equal, I probably would. But AT&T’s coverage is pretty terrible, and after using their coverage viewer I was able to tell that the service at my house would be bad – at best.
We’ve been shopping cell phone service providers
I have been a Verizon customer for probably 7-8 years and have had a pretty good experience with them. Their coverage is great, the customer service is pretty good, and they have traditionally had at least decent options for phones.
Banking on the rumors that the Nexus One would be coming to T-Mobile soon, we started comparing prices. It turns out that we can get a family plan with T-Mobile for about $50/month less than with Verizon (both companies allow you to purchase cheaper cell phones online than at their store).
According to the Nexus One site, you can get it from T-Mobile for $179 (with 2 yr activation) or wait until it comes out with Verizon this spring. Or if you have nothing else to do with your money you can buy it unlocked for $529.
With Verizon not getting it until later this Spring and the additional $50/month we need to pay to be with Verizon, we are strongly considering making the switch to T-Mobile.
More about the Nexus One
If you haven’t gotten an iPhone for one reason or another and feel the need for a smartphone, the Nexus One might be your answer. I was impressed with the features of Motorola’s Droid, but Nexus One seems to do them one-up in many of the features.
- Engadget.com had a live feed of Google’s Android Conference today – it shows lots about the phone and a lot more.
- You can find out about it from the horse’s mouth at Google’s Nexus One page.
Got any thoughts about the iPhone or Nexus One?
(Added 1-6-10: Per a comment yesterday from Philip, I looked into the limitations of the plans and currently T-Mobile is only allowing the Nexus One to be on single plans – no family plans! From the information I was reading it looks like it would be about $80/month for a 500 minute single user plan. Well it looks like waiting until Spring to get it with Verizon is looking like a good idea… )
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I personally have an iPhone, and love it. My suspicion is that the iPhone will be improved this year, as it has year over year. I expect a more significant upgrade than the one from the 3G to the 3GS. The Nexus One does look pretty sweet, but it sure looks like Google took their photocopiers to the iPhone. We’ll have to wait and see if Google can pull of a slick UI.
I’ve heard about Tmobile limiting the Nexus One to single plans (i.e. NO Family Plans). There is some sort of limit, not sure if its availability or pricing or contract, but the family plan can’t get the same deal as a single plan can for the Nexus One.
Philip – thanks for bursting my bubble!
I will check it out and find out about it for sure… thanks for the heads up…
Yes, I’m sitting old school here with a phone that only calls… for now. The game is changing so fast, but only now am I starting to think seriously about getting into the game. We’ll see. I’m still concerned about the “always connected” problem. Out and about time is all I have left of disconnection. :>)
Seriously, though, I was excited too when I saw the news earlier.
-Marshall Jones Jr.
Bob,
This is a great question, as a matter of fact you have inspired me to write a post on cell phone plans/phones. I will give you a heads up sometime this week. I worked in the cell phone industry for over 4 years and I think/hope I have some tips and things to offer.
As for the iPhone vs. Nexus One debate, on the surface without any in-depth analysis I would recommend chilling with Verizon until until your contract is up – unless your new carrier will save you money between now and the time your contract would have been up (and including your etf’s with Verizon). In that time you may luck out and have the Nexus One or iPhone be released. You may also want to check out the Droid or Eris (which is the cousin to the Hero)
As a current Android user, and former Windows Mobile user of 3+ years (Also very good with Palm even though I never owned one) I would definitely recommend Android. As a matter of fact you can read my review of the Hero at http://parrottpeople.wordpress.com/2009/10/11/just-bought-the-htc-hero-for-sprint/
i have just seen this on cnn. it a really nice piece and i would really like to have one
Bob,
I just did all the research on cell phones, since my current provider Sprint changed their terms and thus I could get out of the contract. I found that the Sprint family plan (with the 2 google HTC phones I am getting in a few days) was like $50/month cheaper than verizon!
Any insights?
FWIW, my brother just got the Nexus and says it’s way better than the iPhone. I’ll be candid and say he works for Google, but I trust his ability to make an independent judgment. And with it coming to Verizon in the spring, I think it’s a no-brainer!
I’m a huge tech fan, so it was great to see a post about anything Google/iPhone/etc. If you’re a Mac user, I think you really have to consider the iPhone. It fits in seamlessly to how I use my computer, and I would really miss it if I didn’t have it. And although I can’t speak to AT&T’s coverage (or lack thereof) in your area, I can say that in West Michigan, we have terrific coverage (even though people tend to complain about it anyway).