5 Reasons Not To Buy A 4G LTE Smartphone Today
Hardly a day goes by when I’m not tempted to buy a ticket and hop aboard the 4G LTE smartphone train. A few of my friends have LTE devices and love the upload and download speeds that they’ve been getting. They tell me to get one when my iPhone 3GS contract runs out. The Verizon store reps in my neighborhood rave to me about the Droid Charge and the HTC ThunderBolt. My co-workers have bought into 4G LTE.
However, I’m not ready to hop aboard the train just yet and here are some reasons why.
Lack Of Hardware
First and foremost, there isn’t a wide selection when it comes to 4G LTE smartphones. In fact, you can count all of them on one hand. We’ve got the HTC ThunderBolt, the Droid Charge and the LG Revolution. Essentially, I can choose between three phones that I wouldn’t consider without LTE. No dual-core and really nothing that stands out except the Droid Charge’s Super AMOLED Plus Display. They are all single-core phones. They all boast a 4.3 inch screen. There is nothing that truly separates them besides the Droid Charge’s display, the different UI’s over Android and their form factors.
Until there is more hardware diversity, I’m taking a pass.
Early Adoption Issues
Early adoption does not appeal to me at all and I’m pretty sure that there are more than a few people out there that bought the HTC ThunderBolt or Droid Charge without knowing what they would have to deal with. Plain and simple, it doesn’t look like fun. HTC ThunderBolt owners are seeing random reboots. Most 4G LTE smartphone owners suffer from unstable battery life. The entire 4G LTE network has gone down and it wouldn’t be shocking to see it go down again.
All in all, it’s probably worth waiting for a more mature network and more stable devices to arrive. Verizon itself has even said that there are trade-offs when it comes to buying in this early to 4G LTE and I’m not willing to pay to be a test subject.
Verizon Is The Only Major U.S. Carrier Offering 4G LTE
Besides the limited hardware options, there is also a lack of options when it comes to the 4G LTE service itself. Currently, Verizon is the only major carrier that offers it in the United States with AT&T confirmed to be rolling out their network in five cities this summer.
But what about MetroPCS and U.S. Cellular you might ask? MetroPCS currently offers 4G LTE but they also only have two (as a reader pointed out) phones available for it, the Samsung Craft, which is definitely not something you want to sign up for and the Samsung Galaxy Indulge which isn’t even on par with the first-gen Galaxy S devices. That’s not the only thing that will keep you away from MetroPCS’ network either.
U.S. Cellular is green lighting its 4G LTE network this holiday season but like MetroPCS, it’s not available nationwide, and it’s unclear if either of them ever will be.
As for the other two major U.S. carriers, Sprint currently uses 4G WiMax which is slower than 4G LTE. There have been rumors that it is considering a move to 4G LTE but things have been relatively quiet lately. And as for T-Mobile, it employs a HSPA+ network which is slower than both WiMax and LTE, not that it stops T-Mobile from calling their network 4G.
So ultimately, this comes down to options and I’m not sure I’m willing to just throw my money at Verizon or MetroPCS without any other major carrier options on the table. And unfortunately, it’s going to be awhile before any viable options are.
4G LTE Service Isn’t Everywhere
Yes, there is 4G LTE service here in the Bay Area but what if I decide to go visit my brother in Eugene, Oregon? I’m not going to have 4G LTE service. And even then I’m lucky. Many people live in places that don’t yet have 4G LTE service and may not even see it until 2013 as that’s when Verizon plans to have the entire network rolled out.
If you’re willing to roll the dice and bet that you’re going to get 4G LTE before then, you’ll at least want to wait for next-generation hardware to come out and that way you’ll have one thing going for you in case your bet turns out to be a bad one.
Maybe I Don’t Want Android/Few Optimized Applications
The three 4G LTE options on the market right now are all Android smartphones. As much as I like Android, I also like what I am seeing from iOS 5 and Windows Phone 7.1 Mango is looking amazing as well. It’s unlikely that we’ll see a 4G LTE iPhone this year so that means it’s likely going to be 2012 before iOS gets in on the fun and it’s unclear when Windows Phone 7 will get its first LTE device. And while it’s easy just to make the move to Android because it’s a fabulous operating system, I want the same choices with software that I want with hardware.
A smaller point that I should also point out is the lack of applications on the Android market that take advantage of 4G LTE speeds. Netflix on the LG Revolution is one but there really isn’t anything else out there that catches my eye. Ok, so you can browse the web at blazing speeds (a dual-core processor would help) but you can’t really do much else with it. And I’m talking about average stuff here, not everyone gets a phone to perform speed tests or to tether.
[...] Some big names on that list to be sure and with Verizon’s 4G LTE network seemingly growing by the month, we’re inching ever so closer to the day that it’s worth buying a 4G LTE enabled smartphone. [...]
[...] Some big names on that list to be sure and with Verizon’s 4G LTE network seemingly growing by the month, we’re inching ever so closer to the day that it’s worth buying a 4G LTE enabled smartphone. [...]
[...] before you get too excited, just remember. There are drawbacks to making the switch to 4G LTE and so you’ll want to be sure you are willing to accept them [...]
The most valid point in this article is that there are only 3 LTE phones available from Verizon (yes, MetroPCS has a couple and, no, they aren’t worth mentioning.) The LTE phones available from Verizon right now are otherwise somewhat behind the curve on hardware. Once either the Galaxy S II or the Bionic launches, though, there will be no reason not to go ahead and get an LTE phone unless perhaps you live in the middle of nowhere and expect to be among the last to get LTE service.
It doesn’t really matter that Verizon is the only carrier because AT&T’s network stinks anyway. You’re lucky to get 3G with AT&T or (especially) T-Mobile, much less LTE, while Verizon’s 3G network covers nearly everywhere. The most compelling reason to get an LTE phone right now is that Verizon is soon getting rid of their unlimited data plans and, if you don’t already have one, you need to get it before next Thursday (7/7/11,) in order to get your plan grandfathered in.
It also doesn’t matter that iPhone doesn’t have it, yet. Why would I not buy hardware just because Apple, as usual, is behind on it? If I always waited to buy hardware until Apple had it, I’d be at least a year behind any time I made a hardware purchase.
[...] 4G LTE network did not win was in ‘rural’ America where AT&T still dominates. As expected, the only other LTE network out there, MetroPCS, was as good as a “very-good” 3G [...]
[...] also been tempted to hop aboard the Verizon 4G LTE train. Unfortunately, at the moment, I’m not convinced that that is the right thing to do. There are some capable phones out there that I’ve had [...]
If you are going to write an article about LTE services available right now then you should write about them all and list all phones available.
Not all MetroPcs users have “bad credit”. I have had all the major carriers in the US and have never been fully happy with any of them, they all have something different to offer AT&T had the iPhone, Verizion had androids, Sprint had push to talk and Metro had flat rate before anyone else.
I have had a Droid X, an iPhone 4G and an Evo and of all the phones and networks I’ve had I have stuck with MetroPcs for the longest nearly 8years (I often had two phones) their INTERNATIONAL calling is the best I have ever had and the quality is no worse than the other carriers and for a flat $60/month LTE android vs $400+ on all the others its a no brainer. Sure their phones are behind the curve and always will be but the savings do make them a runner in the LTE market.
“Right now NO carrier has a great 4GLTE service and the phones are certainly not where they should be which is why if you are considering buying a LTE smartphone you should maybe wait.”
I dropped my Motorola Droid recently and broke it, replaced it with a Thunderbolt and although that battery life was a problem, the extended battery solves that. Outside of that its a fantastic devise, better then the Droid in every way and the 4g is heaven. Feeling sorry for my wife and that iPhone 4.
[...] It seems like every day prices for Verizon’s 4G LTE smartphones get dropped and today is no different as Amazon has slashed its prices on all of Verizon’s [...]
“the lack of applications on the Android market that take advantage of 4G LTE speeds.”
Really?? what application doesnt take advantage of a fast network connection? On the other hand most applications – and android itself – are not optimized for multiple cores.
If you dont like the options i get it but why even write the article if you have so many things to research still.
single core isnt an issue IMO. network speeds and RAM are.
the LG Revolution supports voice over LTE (VoLTE) so its the most future proof
With all the inaccuracies I just chalked it up to “weak” authorship. However this “lack of applications” comment cracked me up. It demonstrates a lack of understanding of apps, networks, and critical thinking. ;-)
“the lack of applications on the Android market that take advantage of 4G LTE speeds.”
Really?? what application doesnt take advantage of a fast network connection? On the other hand most applications – and android itself – are not optimized for multiple cores.
If you dont like the options i get it but why even write the article if you have so many things to research still.
single core isnt an issue IMO. network speeds and RAM are.
the LG Revolution supports voice over LTE (VoLTE) so its the most future proof
Sorry to tell you Adam Mills, but you’re never going to keep up with technology. Once you get your 4G LTE smartphone with the latest hardware, it will be old news in 6 months to a year. When you get your dual-core, nice little smartphone, the next day, there will be a quad-core phone being announced. Barely a little over a year ago a single-core 1GHZ processor was the latest and greatest. Now, the dual-core is the latest and greatest. And let me tell you, in May, I got the HTC Thunderbolt and it’s wonderful. It’s not slow at all. I have 4G in my hometown and it’s not like I’m going to visit my family in other places every week. I’m not going to visit my grandma Shay every week in Oregon. Just get something now and I’m sure that in 2013 there will be better than this year and next year(of course!).
Nah… I’m waiting, but not for most of these reasons. LTE will be king, so all that talk about whatever you’re talking about is nonsense. Trust me. I’m from the future.
I find it very interesting and not the least bit biased :p that this review is written by an iPhone user…no irony there eh?….I purchased the Thunderbolt in March, have only had 1 random reboot in 5 months (all smartphone users should reboot their phone every few days as a matter of principle, it is after all a handheld computer and only takes a minute) and have been on the 4g network since May. I am very pleased with it, experience absolutely zero buffering when watching videos or streaming music, and am amazed by the up and download speeds. Page changes while surfing, I.E. espn.com, CNN.com, and facebook etc. are next to instantaneous instead of “building” over a 5-10 second period. I think readers would be better served getting reviews and information from an OBJECTIVE source, say consumer reports or cnet, not another apple fanboy.
Wait, did you just say Android is a “fabulous operating system”?
Ummm…bullshit
You obviously have a strong opinion about Android. How about telling us all why this is. I have had three Android devices d2, dx, and now thunderbolt. By far the most unregretable decisions I have ever made. Most everything you could want or need can be had for free if you research. Unlike Microsoft that never stops digging in my pockets. I have over 20 years experience in the technology field, a computer science degree. Maybe Windows 7 is stable and works good, but after spending my hard earned money on at least 7 Microsoft operating system’s I am done. Viruses and hardware software compatability issues neverending headaches. Now that is a crappy OS. MAC is ok, mainly due to price of hardware and you must pay pay pay for apps, etc. More variety of apps but Android will catch up and surpass them in no time. Any issue or obstacle I have found with Android can be addressed with a little time effort and intelligence. I can see quite a few people here lacking in that department. Get a life mister metro pcs man. And for the Android haters keep feeding the Microsoft pig, and MAC to a lesser degree. I will be sticking with the future, open source OS Android. If you don’t like it bite me. If you have a locked bootloader unlock it. If you want root get it. Makes no sense why people take an opinion and try to sway people’s opinions when they don’t post any relevant information to back it up. Lastly opinions are like assholes we all got them but that don’t mean we all need to see them. I only did this post because of they ridiculous cocking fight over who is right on any small technicality or typo in a post. I sure hope the point of the article comes through. Lack of 4g options yes, network coverage yes but constantly changing. I for one got the unlimited 4g data while it isn’t extinct. Verizon has always given reliable service and coverage and expect that to continue even in areas where other networks struggle. Does this mean it is the best i dont know, but it is the best for me yes. Do I have the newest or greatest hardware now no, but i am comforted by the insurance of a complete fast 4g unlimited data plan that will in the next year and a half will work coast to coast. Hardware can be changed.
Wait, did you just say Android is a “fabulous operating system”?
Ummm…bullshit
I see no problem with Metro’s LTE setup. They’re getting the LG Esteem soon and when a better phone comes after it, I won’t have to pay an early upgrade fee. It’s completely unlimited for $60 a month. That means no data caps or usage fees. How is that irrelevant? Metro doesn’t have the best network but, you’re getting the most for your money. You must know all facts about a subject before you actually publish anything. Otherwise, you’re not a real journalist, just another someone with a computer.
I would love to see a review on the droid bionic in relationship to this article <E
I think hes jus trolling lol.. mostly qq
What college gave you you’re degree for journalism? Droid Bionic. Biased hoe bag.
Love TM ;)
obviously you don’t have a degree in English —> “What college gave you [you're] degree…”
dumb trailer trash.
Love, an English speaker ;)
10/27/2011
DO NOT get a 4G Lte phone. Got a samsung 4g phone and could not get stable connections in LA, Phoenix and El Paso. It was the most expensive paper weight I have ever purchased. Returned to Verizon and traded in for 3G phone.
I’m doing fine with my Droid Bionic here in New York. I’ve had no problem whatsoever with 4g connections here or when I travel around the country.
I think I can live with this phone for the next few years that my Verizon contract requires. After that, I’ll just see what the new hot thing is.
(I should add that that last was stated ironically – I couldn’t care less what’s “hot” – I want a phone that is effective.) Thank you for indulging me, though, and for an excellent article that helped me.
So, would you say that sticking with a 3G dual core phone is the way to go at lease until spring 2012 ?
Very biased review as I see it. You make a few good points but you don’t need a dual core processor to make a good phone. Especially if you are using a 600mhz iphone 3gs at the moment like you said. I’m sorry man but I gotta’ be quite frank. This pretty biased.