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The past 2 summers I've gone to the Philippines with my Sidekick 2 with an unlimited data plan.. However, each visit gave me a bill of over $700.. I remember the first summer I used the internet on my phone. So thinking that was the only reason why my bill was sky high I reverted to just text messaging on my second trip.. however, still a high phone bill..
This summer I plan on going back as well as visiting Europe this year. Now that I have an unlocked Dash with unlimited text and $5.99 T-Zones I hope my lesson is learned and I will just buy a sim card when I get there. However, if there is a chance that perhaps I can use my current plan to just make few phone calls, few texts, and even fewer web browsing, will I be in good shape? Lol or is that a dumb question should I simply buy a sim card over there? Thanks.
Best bet would be to ask the question on the T-Mobile forum of HowardForums http://www.howardforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=52
Just ask about phone/data charges when abroad. I read there some time ago that it is also recommended to forward all calls to voicemail before traveling. Can't remember all the details - otherwise I would gladly supply information here.
Yes, buy a prepaid SimCard. There are sometimes deals where you can get a Phone and a simcard for the price of the prepaid card, depending on where you go. I got 4 brand new (crappy) phones laying around from those purchases. Make sure you dissable Cellular Data, otherwise you will run through your prepaid minutes in, well, minutes.
I try to keep it on the low and usually get like 500 minutes for 2 weeks of stay. Right now however, the Euro is very high, or the dollar low, depending how you wanna look at it, so don't expect minutes to be as cheap as here. A starter package with 100 minutes ist E15 (E for Euros). Calls within TMo Austria are free and E0.05 to landlines.
BTW, T-Mobile in Austria (will be) is the iPhone provider, that might be a place to buy it if you are interested (and want to spend E500 ~ $800), it should work here as well on TMo.
Almost forgot, You can look up phone rental places. They will rent you the phone, with or without Data and talk rates are lower as they don't use prepaid rates. You still pay per minutes you use but at a lower rate than prepaid usually goes for.
If you need data that is your best solution. I don't use data overseas as Live Search only works in US and UK.
Why dont you just add T-Mobiles International Option while you are traveling?
Because they charge you an arm and a leg (and a few toes of the other foot).
daleksic said:
Because they charge you an arm and a leg (and a few toes of the other foot).
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Click to collapse
Really, $9.99 to add it then guaranteed prices when you are overseas (depending on where you are going and how long you plan to stay you can "lock in" a preset amount anywhere from .34 cents per minute to 5.20 per minute). I was in France last year and locked in a .50 per minute rate which was far better then any pre pay I found. The plan activated when I left, and deactivated when I came back. Simple, no fuss no mess. I was very happy. I went from paying over $800.00 to less then $300.00 for the same amount of calls.
Bupahs said:
Why dont you just add T-Mobiles International Option while you are traveling?
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Click to collapse
That is what I did. I go to England and my phone works fine over there. It usually connects through Vodaphone.
I download, email and surf while over there and see no extra charges unless I call someone. It is one dollar a minute, but okay for short, urgent calls.
Pretty cool surfing my local home town news site while driving down the M4- I am a passenger of course, but still in the left seat, which can be disorienting....
rushless said:
....but still in the left seat, which can be disorienting....
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Click to collapse
Yeah, I never could get used to that, it just feels weird LOL
My phones actual ability to maintain a signal and make data connections is just ****ing abysmal. Sigh, actually what had happened recently was I was using Codename 1.4 /w a hybrid radio and my connection was decent. At home I never get any bars of 3G but my data connection at least worked. I was in class yesterday and then my phone ran out of battery, I rebooted it to check the calendar but I didn't have time before it insta-died on boot, and then my phone softbricked. I had to re-flash(forgot to do a CWM backup)a ROM and now my connection is just back to being as ****ty as it was before I had decent luck. My phone just has these bouts where it can't send SMS at all even and my phone can't hold onto 3G(in a very good metropolitan area, mind you). I start using the data connection and then my data drops on 3G or LTE. It's just ridiculous. No hybrid radio i've tried has helped.
My question is this: what kind of recourse do I have for getting out of my contract /w Verizon as a new customer if I ***** and moan about how this phone barely functions on their network in my area? I haven't even paid my first bill, but I know that I am past the 14 day return/cancellation period. Has anyone ever been in my situation? In the worst case I'll just have to sell the phone and early terminate I suppose.
Thanks.
you could probably flash stock android ICS on that phone, then sell it, and use the money you receive from selling the phone to pay for your Early Termination Fee
Like the guy above me said, try to reflash a stock ROM. Sometimes this half-boot-ups can **** things badly up.
Gesendet von meinem Galaxy Nexus mit Tapatalk
Stop using custom ROMS and kernels. Go back to stock and see how things work.
Are other people who use your carrier having similar issues n your area? If you live in a cellular "dead zone", I don't think there's much you can do about it.
Actually, my best friend who got me to buy the nexus(I don't mean he persuaded me or anything, he let me play /w his and I was hooked)said that after I unlocked the bootloader, installed cwm, and installed the AOSP 4.0.4 leak that his signal/reception was worse. I don't use a custom kernel, well I mean I don't flash kernels that is. I tend to leave whatever kernel comes /w a rom. If I go back to stock should I relock the bootloader too?
There is definitely something wrong with the Verizon Galaxy nexus antenna. I along with many other have had horrible antenna problems. I had phone since day 1 and finally gave up on it yesterday and sold it.
Samsung like other manufacturers have duds. Those of us who had the original galaxy S phones now Samsung had a hardware GPS defect. No matter how many times you switch it out it's not going to solve your problem.
1. Where did you get your phone? Verizon corp? Amazon? Wirefly? Be careful if you terminate within 6 months at wirefily/amazon cause u might get charged $250 extra in addition to the $350 Verizon etf. That's why amazon sold you the phone for $99 for new customers.
If you got it from Verizon. They may cut u some slack and take phone back and u just pay for partial pro rates fees etc restocking.
I liked the phone myself. ICS is def a huge step forward. Screen amazing. But a phone needs to function as a phone first.
Had huge issue with iPhone 4 last year also. Not antenna gate like media stated. But the iPhone 4 (gsm) had a well known sensor defect that apple "fixed with a software released". We all know that's bogus. Manufacturers never want to admit a hardware defect/poor design. They would just rather deal with individual cases and hope the problem goes away or until the next design is released and people forget about it. My iPhone 4S has no sensor issue at all (I can actually move my head around when on a call and the screen doesn't auto turn on and hang out/call ex girlfriends etc like the iPhone 4.
I suspect Samsung is well aware of this antenna issue in the CDMA model. I am sure the next version of this phone will be fixed. Just like the Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant with tmobole had gps defect and Samsung Galaxy S 4G had no gps defect.
I got it from amazon unfortunately. So yeah I am aware of the 250 extra addon. I will call them tomorrow and talk to them about waiving that.
Dajinn said:
I got it from amazon unfortunately. So yeah I am aware of the 250 extra addon. I will call them tomorrow and talk to them about waiving that.
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Click to collapse
Going to be tough for them to waive it unless you also offer to send the phone back to them.
Not sure how it's going to play out but good luck.
I sold my Gnex yesterday. I would have just used the proceeds from sale (sold it for $380...Verizon Gnex resell values are dropping unforurtanely). Anyways I would have just paid the ETF but I got a grandfathered unlimited LTE data so just using the LTE sim in my new iPad and that works great.
I'll see what the Samsung S3 has to offer.
I know how you feel. I am on my 6th GNex, and since last week it has been dropping calls every time I use it, unless it is a very short call. It may last for a few minutes, or for 30 to 40 minutes, but it will drop the call. The phone was okay when I got it about a month ago, very weak data connections, but worked for voice calls, dropping a few now and then. I am almost to the point of reactivating my OG Droid and just using the GNex is a PDA. I do not want to break my contract because I am grandfathered in on an very sweet Alltel plan. I know I will never buy another Samsung phone.
For what its worth I had a Verizon g next since December and the phone had amazing signal reception and always was on 4g. Never dropped a call and all texts sent perfectly well. The phone got really hot last weekend and wouldn't turn on. After being deemed shot, I got a new gnex. I've been on this phone for 2 days and I've dropped 5 calls and had at least 20 texts fail to send. I look at the signal bars and half the time they're completely empty. If this phone was my first experience I'd be pissed beyond belief. Maybe try and swap it for a new one. I'm sure as hell going to. I know what the phone is capable of and I'm nowhere near that with this one.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
So check this out.... I am an AT&T user and back when the HTC HD2 came out for T-Mobile I bought it from a friend when they signed up for a new contract. Got an unlock code from Ebay and have been using it for the past 2 years without having to have a data plan, never got added automatically to my plan like i have heard happen to others? And I'm wondering why? Is it possibly cuz its a T-Mobile phone? Or is it cuz I still have an old "Cingular" SIM card? I am curious about this because right now, Wally World has a special sale on the phone at $249, plus a $100 gift card, which will bring the phone down to $150 basically, so a pretty damn good deal for a phone just out on the market. And I'm plan on getting it this week, I was wondering if any of you would be able to tell me if at some point if i was able to get a T-Mobile version of the Samsung Note 2 if i could slip my SIM card into it and then be able to cancel my DATA plan, if i told them i went back to a Motorola Razr or something, which worked when i got my HD2? Or will AT&T be able to see that i have a smartphone? Is it the newer smaller SIM card, that will tell AT&T that I have a smartphone, or will the phone it self be what sends info to the servers or whatever that tells AT&T I have a smartphone? Or do you think this method of getting a T-Mobile phone and using an AT&T SIM card will work and I won't get stuck with a DATA plan? Everywhere I go has Wi-Fi so I have no need for the Data plan it will be going to waste.
That offer of 249 is only for new contracts and upgrades
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
funziebear said:
That offer of 249 is only for new contracts and upgrades
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
Yep, I am eligible for an upgrade, haven't upgraded in a few years or so... Just wondering if the new micro sim cards or the newer phone will alert at&t that i am using a smart phone, or if i will be able to do the same thing i did last time, by getting a tmobile phone with at&t service and not be required to have a data plan, if they don't know that i'm using a smart phone...?
Red-Dog said:
Yep, I am eligible for an upgrade, haven't upgraded in a few years or so... Just wondering if the new micro sim cards or the newer phone will alert at&t that i am using a smart phone, or if i will be able to do the same thing i did last time, by getting a tmobile phone with at&t service and not be required to have a data plan, if they don't know that i'm using a smart phone...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so you are going to start a tmobile contract to get the discounted price on the phone then switch back to att
So, you've been stealing data for 2 years now... Making my data cost go up. Stealing is a crime! Please turn yourself in and agree to pay back the last 2 years of stolen data....
I'm messing with you.
If you bring a phone to T-Mobile, they won't force a data plan on you. I'm assuming The Dark Side [AT&T] is the same.
If you use an upgrade, a 2GB Data Plan is required, and they will not let you remove your data afterwards. T-Mobile is weird like that.
dkb218 said:
So, you've been stealing data for 2 years now... Making my data cost go up. Stealing is a crime! Please turn yourself in and agree to pay back the last 2 years of stolen data....
I'm messing with you.
If you bring a phone to T-Mobile, they won't force a data plan on you. I'm assuming The Dark Side [AT&T] is the same.
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Click to collapse
LOL, nice, but no, I'm saying I don't have any internet on my phone, only had the Wi-Fi, therefore wasn't having to pay for a data plan, because i wasn't required to have one since they didn't know i had a smart phone, just the regular cost of having a calling plan... I'm hoping it's something to do with the IMEI, if it isn't in the system, hopefully they won't know what phone i'm using...
iamtimmah said:
If you use an upgrade, a 2GB Data Plan is required, and they will not let you remove your data afterwards. T-Mobile is weird like that.
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Click to collapse
Yeah AT&T requires you to have an added Data Plan also with any smartphone, but I don't need it, its a waste of money for me, I have Wi-Fi most of the places I go, and don't need to be connected to the net 24/7 ...lol But, I'm hoping I can get a Tmobile Note 2 and use it for a while, then tell them I went back to my Razr and hopefully be able to drop the data part of the plan, but i don't know if i could do that until the new contract is over
truthkillszz said:
so you are going to start a tmobile contract to get the discounted price on the phone then switch back to att
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Click to collapse
No, originally it was just an impulse buy, cuz its such a kick ass phone...lol I would prefer just to buy a Tmobile version somewhere and use it on AT&T and hopefully not be required to have a data plan, but since the phone is so new, i'm probably not going to find one anywhere, less than $400 even on Ebay. So what I was thinking is, just upgrade my current AT&T plan to a new 2 year agreement, and get the phone for $250, plus the $100 gift card from Wally World, and that basically brings the price down to $150, and then possibly selling or trading the phone and getting a Tmobile version, so i can cancel the internet data plan. But, i'm not sure i could do that, i don't know if the contract terms say I'm required to keep the data part, even if i don't have a smartphone anymore say after a few months or year or so. Like for example, if I sign a new 2 year agreement, and after a couple of months, tell them I went back to a Razr phone, if i can drop the data, but i'm still on the 2 year agreement. And hopefully the Tmobile version phone won't be able to be detected so i'm not automatically enrolled into the data plan again....?
I don't get it. If you just want a feature phone then just get an feature phone. There are tablets that uses WiFi only just bigger. Then you can get a free basic phone for texting and calls only. Or get a feature phone for almost free for text, calling, and listening to your music. At this point PPCs (Pocket Personal Computers) aka "Smartphones", like Galaxy Note 2, are way too much for the purposes that you are wanting to use them for.
To make PPC aka "smartphones" truly mobile they need to be connected to the Internet at all times. That is why cellular data radio services is so important for these PPC devices. They are truly cellular mobile computers. That is why I coined them as CPPC (Cellular Pocket Personal Computer) and MPPC (Mobile Pocket Personal Computer).
MPPC (Mobile Pocket Personal Computer) is the best description of what these devices are. They are mobile in terms that you are always connected on the go with these devices. They fit in your pocket (at least your big pocket). They are very personal in the way you use them. And they are truly computers. They are your personalized pocket sized (big pockets) computers on the go with cellular radio and communication services. They are your MPPC (Mobile Pocket Personal Computer.
Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is not for you at all. You are just wasting money on the Galaxy Note 2. Get either a basic phone or feature phone as your phone device. And get a tablet as your WiFi media device. You can get both for less than or close to the cost of a Galaxy Note 2.
JaguarXT said:
I don't get it. If you just want a feature phone then just get an feature phone. There are tablets that uses WiFi only just bigger. Then you can get a free basic phone for texting and calls only. Or get a feature phone for almost free for text, calling, and listening to your music. At this point PPCs (Pocket Personal Computers) aka "Smartphones", like Galaxy Note 2, are way too much for the purposes that you are wanting to use them for.
To make PPC aka "smartphones" truly mobile they need to be connected to the Internet at all times. That is why cellular data radio services is so important for these PPC devices. They are truly cellular mobile computers. That is why I coined them as CPPC (Cellular Pocket Personal Computer) and MPPC (Mobile Pocket Personal Computer).
MPPC (Mobile Pocket Personal Computer) is the best description of what these devices are. They are mobile in terms that you are always connected on the go with these devices. They fit in your pocket (at least your big pocket). They are very personal in the way you use them. And they are truly computers. They are your personalized pocket sized (big pockets) computers on the go with cellular radio and communication services. They are your MPPC (Mobile Pocket Personal Computer.
Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is not for you at all. You are just wasting money on the Galaxy Note 2. Get either a basic phone or feature phone as your phone device. And get a tablet as your WiFi media device. You can get both for less than or close to the cost of a Galaxy Note 2.
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Click to collapse
I'm not trying to buy the Galaxy Note 2 outright, I plan on going to Walmart sometime this week and upgrading my contract and getting the Note 2 for $249, and then on top of that Walmart will throw in a $100 gift card, that you can use on anything at the store, probably even gas at the Murphy USA station so basically, that brings the price of the phone down to $150.... I don't know of any decent tablet anywhere near that price. This phone is basically a phone and tablet all in one, I don't want to be carrying multiple devices around with me, a big 7" or 10" tablet everywhere I go everyday, plus my cell phone. I'm looking for an all in once device, and this is pretty much it. Most of the places I go have Wi-Fi, so I wouldn't, (and haven't), even hardly use(d) any data. And the extra, $15, $20 or $30 a month for a data plan could be used to help pay for other bills. I can still use the phone to its full potential without having a data plan... Except when I'm driving down the highway and I'm lost and need GPS? ...lol But, I still have my HD2 with tomtom on it, or eventually I might sell it and get a dedicated GPS, or use google navigation, I think I heard they have an option to download offline maps. If I'm bored waiting on my oil to get changed in my car somewhere, and want to watch a YouTube video, sure I'll be SOL if they don't have a public Wi-Fi, but I'll have plenty of apps and games to keep me entertained while I wait...lol IF I ever have an absolute need to use, mobile data, its a pay-per-use feature, per MB I think so I'll still have that, it just won't be a set monthly price.
Att requires you to keep a data plan for 6 months after an upgrade.
Here is what I would do:
If you upgrade then switch to the t-mo version, call att when you switch and tell them you are using a t mobile dumb phone and want your data removed. They may do it if its been 6 months since your upgrade. If they wont remove data completely, tell them you want the $10 media net package. It is unlimited and you will get hspa+ if your phone allows for it. That way you have data if you ever need it, and its cheap.
I used the $10 plan with my gsm razr, but switched back to unlimited so I wouldnt lose it. I know the $10 plan works for phones not in att's system.
Hope this helps
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda premium
bfinch said:
Att requires you to keep a data plan for 6 months after an upgrade.
Here is what I would do:
If you upgrade then switch to the t-mo version, call att when you switch and tell them you are using a t mobile dumb phone and want your data removed. They may do it if its been 6 months since your upgrade. If they wont remove data completely, tell them you want the $10 media net package. It is unlimited and you will get hspa+ if your phone allows for it. That way you have data if you ever need it, and its cheap.
I used the $10 plan with my gsm razr, but switched back to unlimited so I wouldnt lose it. I know the $10 plan works for phones not in att's system.
Hope this helps
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
Exactly, thanks for the info, helps a lot. That is exactly what I planned to do, just wasn't for sure on how long I would have to keep the mobile data plan. So $150, plus $15 a month for the minimum plan, for 6 months = $240 total, phone and mobile data.... not too bad...
Red-Dog said:
I'm not trying to buy the Galaxy Note 2 outright, I plan on going to Walmart sometime this week and upgrading my contract and getting the Note 2 for $249, and then on top of that Walmart will throw in a $100 gift card, that you can use on anything at the store, probably even gas at the Murphy USA station so basically, that brings the price of the phone down to $150.... I don't know of any decent tablet anywhere near that price. This phone is basically a phone and tablet all in one, I don't want to be carrying multiple devices around with me, a big 7" or 10" tablet everywhere I go everyday, plus my cell phone. I'm looking for an all in once device, and this is pretty much it. Most of the places I go have Wi-Fi, so I wouldn't, (and haven't), even hardly use(d) any data. And the extra, $15, $20 or $30 a month for a data plan could be used to help pay for other bills. I can still use the phone to its full potential without having a data plan... Except when I'm driving down the highway and I'm lost and need GPS? ...lol But, I still have my HD2 with tomtom on it, or eventually I might sell it and get a dedicated GPS, or use google navigation, I think I heard they have an option to download offline maps. If I'm bored waiting on my oil to get changed in my car somewhere, and want to watch a YouTube video, sure I'll be SOL if they don't have a public Wi-Fi, but I'll have plenty of apps and games to keep me entertained while I wait...lol IF I ever have an absolute need to use, mobile data, its a pay-per-use feature, per MB I think so I'll still have that, it just won't be a set monthly price.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nexus 7 Tablet!!! Check it out.
To use Google Maps you will need Internet connection so that the device can download the maps while you are traveling. Yes you can do that off line. But the Google Maps function the best when you are connected. Just a good example of so many things within these devices that Must be connected at all times for.
Why not check out lower end Android devices or feature phones with these features? They will cost you even less. Much less.
Again, Galaxy Note 2 is way too much of a professional device than what you are look for. So much of Galaxy Note 2 will be wasted. And the complexity of Galaxy Note 2 is not going to make you happy in the long run.
Warning - Galaxy Note 2 WILL use your cellular data rather you want it to or not. Again, this is the nature of these devices. Everything from email, system backing up, your contacts gets checked and backup, any social apps WILL use your data in the background, Google PlayStore in check for updates, Google Maps in getting new maps (as you travel) and adding location accuracy (with cellular towers), Google Street View in downloading the street view for you, Calendar will check Google and update, free apps that have ads will download the ads, some apps will be running in the background checking stuff online and downloading from online, and so much more WILL be using your Cellular data throughout the day and night on everyday.
When it comes to free apps you can buy the paid ad-free apps. But by the time you do that with all apps you will end up spending as much as it would if you just get the $30.00 per month unlimited data plan. I know that because I hate ads so much that I spend money for the paid ad-free apps.
At the end you better off either going for the $30.00 unlimited data plan or go for a feature phone that does what you want it to. With what you want to do with the device you are better off with a feature phone.
But if you do go for Galaxy Note 2 go for the Unlimited data plan and try to learn the features of this device. Hopefully you will learn to love or at least like the features enough that you would never again think of not having data plan with the device. But my fear for you is that the experience in trying not to use data service is going to be a very bad experience for you. But at least you were forewarned.
You can remove the data plan at anytime if you buy it from AT&T, not sure about other places.
There is a few problems with your plan. T-mobile version of the note 2 is worth more in the used market than AT&T version, so you may find it hard to do an even exchange.
Secondly AT&T do sweeps to detect smartphones more regularly now. It may be able to detect the Tmobile version of note 2 very soon.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
Even if you can take out the data plan, your usage with Galaxy Note 2 would be hampered in a huge way. So huge that it is not worth removing the data plan or getting the Galaxy Note 2. I gave examples in a post above of some of stuff that uses the cellular data. Those and much more would be hampered by taking cellular data plan out. Again, not worth it. There are feature phones that would do what that user wants without hampering the usage.
You see that Droid X on my signature? That is not on the grid anymore. And I can tell you that I notice how much the device and I am hampered by not having data plan. It sucks in a huge way. I am talking with experience.
Android PPC aka "Smartphones" is at its best if on the grid all the way, including cellular data plan. Otherwise go for a feature phone.
JaguarXT said:
Even if you can take out the data plan, your usage with Galaxy Note 2 would be hampered in a huge way. So huge that it is not worth removing the data plan or getting the Galaxy Note 2. I gave examples in a post above of some of stuff that uses the cellular data. Those and much more would be hampered by taking cellular data plan out. Again, not worth it. There are feature phones that would do what that user wants without hampering the usage.
You see that Droid X on my signature? That is not on the grid anymore. And I can tell you that I notice how much the device and I am hampered by not having data plan. It sucks in a huge way. I am talking with experience.
Android is at its best if on the grid all the way, including cellular data plan. Otherwise go for a feature phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think this post was meant for the OP.
I have an unlimited data plan and I use a lots of it. I'm just telling the OP what he can expect in his situation.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
whatsitsnamenow said:
Direct it towards the OP.
I have an unlimited data plan and I use a lots of it. I'm just telling the OP what he can expect in his situation.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry.
We are both trying to tell the OP what to expect in his situation.
I know it's a little bit of an inconvenience not having mobile data, but I have been using a T-Mobile HTC HD2 for the last 2 years without a mobile data plan, just fine. If there is something I need to do that requires internet, i'm patient enough to wait until I can get on Wi-Fi, make a reminder in the calender for when I have time and problem solved. I still have Windows 6.5, which kinda sucks, on it. And I also have Android ported onto it using the memory card. So if I'm traveling somewhere I restart the phone and boot into Windows and use my TomTom GPS program. Then after, I boot back into Android and in the settings there is a checkbox that I can check to keep my phone from using a mobile data connection, so I've been doing just fine. And the GN2 will be a step up from this phone and not that much money out of my wallet.
JaguarXT said:
Nexus 7 Tablet!!! Check it out.
To use Google Maps you will need Internet connection so that the device can download the maps while you are traveling. Yes you can do that off line. But the Google Maps function the best when you are connected. Just a good example of so many things within these devices that Must be connected at all times for.
Why not check out lower end Android devices or feature phones with these features? They will cost you even less. Much less.
Again, Galaxy Note 2 is way too much of a professional device than what you are look for. So much of Galaxy Note 2 will be wasted. And the complexity of Galaxy Note 2 is not going to make you happy in the long run.
Warning - Galaxy Note 2 WILL use your cellular data rather you want it to or not. Again, this is the nature of these devices. Everything from email, system backing up, your contacts gets checked and backup, any social apps WILL use your data in the background, Google PlayStore in check for updates, Google Maps in getting new maps (as you travel) and adding location accuracy (with cellular towers), Google Street View in downloading the street view for you, Calendar will check Google and update, free apps that have ads will download the ads, some apps will be running in the background checking stuff online and downloading from online, and so much more WILL be using your Cellular data throughout the day and night on everyday.
When it comes to free apps you can buy the paid ad-free apps. But by the time you do that with all apps you will end up spending as much as it would if you just get the $30.00 per month unlimited data plan. I know that because I hate ads so much that I spend money for the paid ad-free apps.
At the end you better off either going for the $30.00 unlimited data plan or go for a feature phone that does what you want it to. With what you want to do with the device you are better off with a feature phone.
But if you do go for Galaxy Note 2 go for the Unlimited data plan and try to learn the features of this device. Hopefully you will learn to love or at least like the features enough that you would never again think of not having data plan with the device. But my fear for you is that the experience in trying not to use data service is going to be a very bad experience for you. But at least you were forewarned.
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I actually already bought the GN2 on black friday, from at&t as a contract upgrade, it was kind of an impulse buy, i'm a penny pincher... I know, kinda weird when we are talking about a $700 phone, right? ...LOL But, I try to save money where I can. I took it back on Tuesday night, because a co-worker told me about the deal at walmart. So I'm gonna go get it from them. From Saturday to Tuesday I was streaming football and basketball games for a few hours everyday, over wi-fi, just fine. I checked my data usage on the phone with the included apps and I was barely even using anything, it was only a few MB's or so, that is probably when I was playing around with it before I connected it to my home and work Wi-Fi, 4G at my work was extremely slow, so I connected to Wi-Fi and was much faster, and I was thinking to myself, if 4g is that damn slow, i don't need to be throwing money away at it... Me and another co-worker that works in my same department were wondering how fast the mobile data is so, I was trying to go to speedtest.net to test the speed and it would never even completely load the page up. I didn't even try the wi-fi speedtest at work, because i was ready to clock out and go home... I did the speedtest at my home from wi-fi and on 4g and my wi-fi kicked the **** out of the 4g, the 4g didn't even get over 1MB! I don't need to have my apps all connected to mobile data all the time, I've used facebook, ebay, craigslist, google play store, checked email and the apps that have the ads don't really bother me, not that big of a deal to me. Sometimes they are annoying, but for me I'd rather see the ad then racking up money by buying all the paid apps. I might buy a few apps that I really like but probably not very many, who knows.. ...And on a sidenote, i don't see a $30 unlimited data plan anywhere, is that a T-Mobile or AT&T plan?
Too bad i had to return my galaxy note 10.1 2014 just because of a screen bug :| . I got a refund though so am happy but now i am thinking as to why i should get a 3g tablet and just get a wifi version which is cheaper. Is it possible to just set up mobile hotspot on my blackberry q10 and get the wifi note 10.1 and connect to it ? :|
I personally wouldn't own a Wi-Fi tablet and have been using a 3G Note 10.1 since last August when the N8000 was released. I now have a SM-P601.
It's always connected. If you're at an airport you can just pull it out and you're online. Boarding called? Just stuff it back in your bag. The whole concept of pulling out my phone, turning on tethering, connecting the tablet and then having to do the same thing in reverse is just tedious. Leave tethering on your phone on accidentally and your phone's battery is toast.
Battery maximization. Why use Wi-Fi from your phone with a small battery to power your tablet with a massive one? I always use my tablet for long conference calls and video calls because its battery is enormous and I can count on my phone being charged enough when I need it.
Syncing. I have nine syncs running in addition to any apps that may need syncing too. When you turn on a Wi-Fi tablet that's been offline tons of syncs all hit the now available connection at the same time to update themselves. Your device will move like sludge until their done.
Convenience. I have my phone and tablet configured the exact same way so I can get the same information from either. The phone's convenient for fast things like short MMS and quick calls. The tablets great when you're reading or composing longer items like e-mail. I sync bookmarks, Scrapbook, and S Note between my tablet and phone so I can start something on one and pick up where I left off on the other.
Wi-Fi isn't everywhere and where it is available it can be weak and inconsistent. I can send an e-mail via 3G faster than I can find a Wi-Fi AP and sign in to it. Overseas, Wi-Fi isn't free and isn't as readily available as it is in the U.S. A PayG data card can be cheaper than Wi-Fi in a lot of countries.
Adding an unsubsidized device like a 3G N10.1-14 to your plan has dropped in price on both AT&T and T-Mobile. The additional price difference for the 3G vs. the Wi-Fi N10.1-14 cost me about $120 which is like $10 a month if I keep it a year. The freedom of being always connected is worth the extra cost, monthly and upfront, for me. And if you're on a shared data plan the same amount of data is consumed whether your device is connecting directly or being tethered via your phone.
YMMV.
Interesting!! my main concern would be gps pinpointing my location since i do a little traveling here and there but my q10 can do that... :/ Any kind of ratio as to which model has the most problems? i developed a little phobia of recieving problematic devices :| this is the first time i had to return a device. I am leaning on to the wifi version now Thanks btw .
I would go with 3g like Barry_GEG said.
I almost bought the wifi only but the Samsung Store here in South East Asia had the 3g for $600 so I couldn't pass it up.
I use it as a home phone now also.
I would never buy a wifi only in the future.
Sent from my SM-P601 using Tapatalk
I bought (and love) the Wifi version and use a Karma device when I need non-wifi connectivity.
Po678 said:
My main concern would be gps pinpointing my location since i do a little traveling here and there but my q10 can do that
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Tablets, especially large ones, make great navigation devices. Here's mine showing a route in Garmin. That's another advantage of a 3G tablet. You don't have to cache maps in Google Maps and Google Now and S Voice which require Internet access to work are always available. I wouldn't mount a 10" tablet on my windshield but I'll prop it up in the seat next to me or allow a passenger to be navigator.
Hmmmmm .....i checked in one of the stores and it seems there is a 4g version available here and there is a hype about snapdragon in the forums. is the snapdragon worth the extra bucks? because the wifi only version is alot expensive than it is worth in the middle east , i might as well pay high for the 4g version? what do you guys think?
Where I live 3G contracts are way too expensive... It takes me one second to turn on the hotspot on my phone and im not travelling that often to really make use of another 3g contract.
But i can see the arguments in the first post
Hi all,
I ask because there seem to be differences between the features offered. For example, my carrier, Sprint, doesn't support WiFi calling or simultaneous talk/surf on the Pixel 2. They just rolled out "Calling Plus", which supposedly does these things but only very few Sprint locked phones are supported yet. Worse still, I've heard that they'll never support the Pixels that way. This makes me want to switch but I like my cheap unlimited plan.
I've been trying Project Fi. I like it so far (it has those features I mentioned above) but I'm afraid it isn't very cost effective for my wife and I at 9.3gb/month average combined usage on Sprint. Fi isn't too far out of line for us and I like it's features but can we do better?
Do the other carriers support these features? Thanks for any insight on this as I would like to keep my Pixel and not have to switch to a Samsung.
Thanks!
I just switched to tmobile today from Verizon, $80 USD a month for 10gb tether, unlimited text, talk, and data.
I mainly wanted to switch to them for calls and texts over WiFi
Cool, this is exactly what I want to know. Is Sprint the only one that won't support WiFi calling on the Pixel? I'd like to know what T mobile charges for two phones with 10 gb. I'll check it out. Did you get the $325 cash card for bringing your Pixel?
Can I assume you can simultaneously talk/surf? That is supported at Fi but interestingly only when connected to T mobile, not Sprint.
Unlimited TMobile has been my go to for years! Including free international roaming, text & data...
I use total wireless at 60 bucks a month for 2 phones with 8 gig data .. on Verizon antennas.. no calling features, but I've read some people can get the tethering to work.. also FYI my pixel xl2 gets a more consistent signal and data through put than my XL ever dreamed about.. htc dropped the ball with the pixel XL radios. My main reason for this purchase
Thx all. Looks like Project Fi is about the same price as the current T-Mobile deal at our level of usage. The advantage with Fi is that you can choose carrier networks on the fly if one or the other isn't working at the moment. But if we use more data any particular month, it could get expensive. It works the other way too though as you pay for exactly what you use. With T-Mobile, in flight internet and Netflix are solid advantages.
26kick said:
Cool, this is exactly what I want to know. Is Sprint the only one that won't support WiFi calling on the Pixel? I'd like to know what T mobile charges for two phones with 10 gb. I'll check it out. Did you get the $325 cash card for bringing your Pixel?
Can I assume you can simultaneously talk/surf? That is supported at Fi but interestingly only when connected to T mobile, not Sprint.
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Nope, I got hosed on that deal and was pretty pissed about it. Do the deal was, you had till Nov 2nd to get up the line. I ordered my device on the 6th and received it on the 31st. So I had what? Two days to get in and switch my carrier? And some people that have ordered still havent even gotten theirs because of color choices.
Then again the associate didn't even know they had a promo for the new pixels, and took her twenty minutes to find any information about it. So I'm actually going to do some looking around on the **** I saw online to see if they have end dates.
Verizon has a terrible app that can allow texts over WiFi, it always worked like garbage for me, and like two samjunks and all the iPhones offer wifi calling on vzw. But to me, this might as well mean they don't offer it.
I also wanted to get away from having to use a device that can use cdma, cdma is old, and very much outdated, which only vzw and Sprint use.
So now, even if I descided to get a different phone, it opens up more device choices that I normally wouldn't have since all phones offer gsm support, but not always cdma
Also, if you have two lines on the unlimited all plan that I got, apparently you get a free Netflix account too.
If you're an old fogie like me, you can get 2 lines of unlimited everything on T-Mobile for $60/mo if one of you is 55+. If you know someone 55+ who you could share the plan with, it's a great deal.
Wifi calling and textimg works great for me on Verizon.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
dberthia said:
If you're an old fogie like me, you can get 2 lines of unlimited everything on T-Mobile for $60/mo if one of you is 55+. If you know someone 55+ who you could share the plan with, it's a great deal.
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That's decent. Wonder if it includes tethering.
I just checked, tethering is at 3G speeds.
TiltedAz said:
That's decent. Wonder if it includes tethering.
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No, think it's $10/month add-on for 10GB 4g, then throttled.
galaxys said:
No, think it's $10/month add-on for 10GB 4g, then throttled.
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Tethering is included, but at 3G speeds. You can pay additional for 4G.
26kick said:
Cool, this is exactly what I want to know. Is Sprint the only one that won't support WiFi calling on the Pixel? I'd like to know what T mobile charges for two phones with 10 gb. I'll check it out. Did you get the $325 cash card for bringing your Pixel?
Can I assume you can simultaneously talk/surf? That is supported at Fi but interestingly only when connected to T mobile, not Sprint.
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Do you happen to have access to one of the Sprint supported phones? With Verizon, I had to setup the WiFi calling on a Verizon branded phone first, set e911 address, and then when I switched my sim back into the pixel XL (og), the WiFi calling options showed up and worked fine.
skinnytoo2 said:
Wifi calling and textimg works great for me on Verizon.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
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Same here. I'm not sure what Lawlrus is talking about in regards to wifi calling & texting on Verizon. What he's saying was true a couple years ago, but isn't with any recent phones on Verizon. Seems like his info is out of date. I've been using wifi calling & texting on Verizon for a while now through several phones, including the Pixel XL and Pixel 2 XL. Works great. I'm often in areas with weak signal, and being able to call and text over wifi allows me to put my phone in airplane mode to save on battery life. I've used it while traveling overseas as well.
Ask yourself this though. Is WiFi calling and simultaneously talking and having data really that necessary for you that it would be worth a possible price jump to another carrier? I'm with Sprint an hard actually talk on the phone enough to want or need either of those features.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
I was on Verizon for 6 years. I bought the Pixel 2 XL from Google so I decided to try Project Fi. It's ok, but there are too many issues with it that I just can't deal with. Wifi calling on speaker phone echos back the person on the other line to them, Google knows this is an issue with project fi, but can't seem to fix it. Sometime the call doesn't answer when you try and answer the phone, you can't hear the person on the other end. The tower switching just flat out sucks. In places where I get full bars on TMobile (which is like everywhere for me) some times it switches to Sprint which will have little to no service and I will need to force the phone back to TMobile. On my wife's phone which I also put on fi, she would be right next to me and she would be on a different tower. Made no sense. Even restarting the phone it wouldn't switch so we would need to force switch whichever phone was stuck on Sprint. I wanted so much to like project fi, but unfortunately it's just too much of a hassle. The straw that broke the camel's back for me was when I send an mms to someone it compresses the image to just a terrible image the size of a thumbnail. Again this is a known issue on Project fi that other people just deal with. I'm not interested in having a half ass phone carrier just to save some money. I would rather pay a little more for good consistent service.
I am switching to TMobile. I have 2 SIM cards coming. $120 (that includes taxes) per month for 2 lines, unlimited talk text data. Plus you get Netflix for free, so I can cancel my Netflix so I will save there too.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
EeZeEpEe said:
Ask yourself this though. Is WiFi calling and simultaneously talking and having data really that necessary for you that it would be worth a possible price jump to another carrier? I'm with Sprint an hard actually talk on the phone enough to want or need either of those features.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
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I have asked myself that time and time again. I now do work on a cruise ship and have no cell service but do have blazing wifi. With Sprint, not using an S8 or one of the 3 or so of their other phones that support Calling Plus, I'm completely in the dark for texts and calls for days at a time. These features are semi standard nowadays and are a requirement for me whereas before they we're a convenience. Believe me, I would much rather stay with Sprint.
I am interested in hearing this feedback on TMobile! Thanks everyone, please keep it coming.
One final question I have posed, though it is a little unusual, but I'd like to know if my wife's as yet unactivated, Android One (Project Fi) Moto X4 will work on TMobile as well as my Pixel 2 xl...and have all of the features. ??
Deuces said:
Do you happen to have access to one of the Sprint supported phones? With Verizon, I had to setup the WiFi calling on a Verizon branded phone first, set e911 address, and then when I switched my sim back into the pixel XL (og), the WiFi calling options showed up and worked fine.
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This is extremely interesting as both carriers are cdma. I don't have one of those phones. I've been told though, that a phone needs a specific software update to enable calling plus, which makes me doubtful of success.
What about simultaneous talk/surf, @Deuces?
tacopimp said:
I was on Verizon for 6 years. I bought the Pixel 2 XL from Google so I decided to try Project Fi. It's ok, but there are too many issues with it that I just can't deal with. Wifi calling on speaker phone echos back the person on the other line to them, Google knows this is an issue with project fi, but can't seem to fix it. Sometime the call doesn't answer when you try and answer the phone, you can't hear the person on the other end. The tower switching just flat out sucks. In places where I get full bars on TMobile (which is like everywhere for me) some times it switches to Sprint which will have little to no service and I will need to force the phone back to TMobile. On my wife's phone which I also put on fi, she would be right next to me and she would be on a different tower. Made no sense. Even restarting the phone it wouldn't switch so we would need to force switch whichever phone was stuck on Sprint. I wanted so much to like project fi, but unfortunately it's just too much of a hassle. The straw that broke the camel's back for me was when I send an mms to someone it compresses the image to just a terrible image the size of a thumbnail. Again this is a known issue on Project fi that other people just deal with. I'm not interested in having a half ass phone carrier just to save some money. I would rather pay a little more for good consistent service.
I am switching to TMobile. I have 2 SIM cards coming. $120 (that includes taxes) per month for 2 lines, unlimited talk text data. Plus you get Netflix for free, so I can cancel my Netflix so I will save there too.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
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Bummer about your experience with Fi. I don't think I've experienced those things yet. But I'm considering TMobile straight away based on our recent average data usage. We've been on unlimited for years with Sprint so for us to reprogram our habits into the hassle of finding and registering for (sometimes suspect) free WiFi networks feels like too much.
I agree, we just want good consistent service. The only downgrade I can see for us at TMobile with ONE plan would be streaming capped at 480p. Am I right?
Curious, why didn't you go back to Verizon, @tacopimp?
In any case, please let me/us know how it is when you activate your Tmobile SIMS!