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iPhone 4S: AT&T vs. Verizon vs. Sprint – Which Carrier is Best?

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Apple is selling an iPhone with multiple wireless partners right off the bat for the first time. AT&T, Sprint and Verizon are the nation’s largest carriers, but which one is right for you? It depends on what you value most, where you live and how you plan on using your iPhone 4S.

Choosing a new phone and options can be difficult enough, but adding an array of carriers to the mix makes selecting an iPhone 4S only more complex.

Even though the iPhone 4S is capable of running on AT&T, Sprint and Verizon, you need to select your carrier up front and you won’t be able to easily switch between carriers.

(Read: iPhone 4S: Should I Buy the New iPhone?)

(Read: iPhone 4S: Should I Upgrade from an iPhone 4?)

Why You Want an iPhone 4S with AT&T

iPhone 4S

The first iPhone carrier hopes to keep its customers with the lowest price on data plans and simultaneous voice and data capabilities. Call quality and data network performance has improved drastically for some iPhone users on AT&T’s network since Apple introduced the iPhone 4.

The new antenna design on the iPhone 4S should help, too, but if don’t expect any miracles if AT&T iPhone users in your area consistently complain about dropped calls.

AT&T iPhone 4S Plans

No roaming charges in the U.S., unlimited mobile to mobile calling anytime, rollover minutes, can ditch Text plan (pay as you go).

  • Lowest price: $54.99/month ($1319.76 over 2 years) – $39.99 for 450 minutes + $15 for 200MB of Data and pay as you go texting.
  • Highest price: $134.99/month ($3239.76 over 2 years) – $69.99 unlimited minutes + $20 unlimited text + $45 for 4GB Data

Why You Want an iPhone 4S with Sprint

Sprint iPhone 4S

Even though only 20% of those surveyed said they would choose Sprint when they bought a new iPhone, the carrier has some tempting perks neither AT&T nor Verizon offer.

Sprint is the only carrier to offer unlimited data plans for iPhone 4S. Unlimited data means you can stream as much music and video as you’d like without worrying about data caps. While a lot of iPhone 4S users won’t go over AT&T or Verizon’s caps, but there are some users that eat throw mobile bandwidth like crazy.

Want to watch hours upon hours of Netflix movies or sports programs via the SlingBox app without worrying about overage charges? Then Sprint should be your top pick.

Sprint iPhone 4S Plans

Includes free mobile to mobile calls. Can’t drop text messaging.

  • Lowest price: $79.99/month ($1919.76 over 2 years) 450 minutes, unlimited messaging, unlimited data.
  • Highest price: $109.99/month ($2639.76 over 2 years) Unlimited everything.

Why You Want an iPhone 4S with Verizon

iPhone 4S

Verizon has the highest customer satisfaction according to several surveys, including our own. When we surveyed almost a thousand next-generation iPhone buyers, only 3.4% of existing Verizon’s existing customers said they would switch to Sprint and only 2.4% would switch to AT&T.

On the other hand, 7% of AT&T subscribers said they would switch to Verizon.

Verizon was rated highest in call quality across most regions by J. D. Power. Thus far, data speeds on the 3G network haven’t suffered as much as AT&T despite a heavy load from iPhone and Android customers.

This carrier also has the widest range of data options from 2GB up to 12GB per month.

Verizon iPhone 4S Plans

Free Friends & Family on some plans, can ditch Text plan (pay as you go).

  • Lowest Price: $69.99/month ($1679.76 over 2 years) – $39.99 Talk + $30 2GB Data and pay as you go texting.
  • Highest Price: $169.99/month ($4079.76 over 2 years) – $69.99 Talk + $20 Text + $80 10GB Data

iPhone 4SWhy You Don’t Want an AT&T iPhone 4S

  • AT&T is limiting purchases to one iPhone 4S per customer at launch, which means your spouse and kids will have to wait in line with you if you hope to buy multiple iPhones on launch day at an AT&T retail store.
  • AT&T has a reputation for dropping calls consistently and having more dead zones than other carriers, especially in some metro areas, such as New York and San Francisco.
  • According to J.D. Power and Associates, AT&T comes in dead last in customer service.
  • The iPhone 4S mobile hotspot feature is not included with the base 200MB or 2GB data plans.
  • AT&T’s top voice plan combined with the 2GB data plan is more expensive than Sprint’s unlimited plan.

Why You Don’t Want a Sprint iPhone 4S

  • Sprint’s iPhone 4S can’t take advantage of HSDPA speeds; it’s CDMA only, so data won’t be as fast as AT&T’s model.
  • The CDMA band also means no simultaneous voice and data.
  • The carrier only offers unlimited data. Not all customers will need that much data and would prefer tiered options.
  • The mobile hotspot feature is $30/mo extra.
  • Sprint is usually rated second or third (depending on the region) for call quality by J. D. Power.

Why You Don’t Want a Verizon iPhone 4S

  • Verizon’s iPhone 4S can’t take advantage of HSDPA speeds; it’s CDMA only, so data won’t be as fast as AT&T’s model.
  • The CDMA band also means no simultaneous voice and data on the phone.
  • New customers can only order tiered data plans — there’s no unlimited data option.
  • The carrier offers nothing below the 2GB/mo plan for customers who don’t use very much data.
  • The mobile hotspot feature not included with 2GB data plan.
  • With the 2GB data plan, 450 minutes, and unlimited texting, Verizon’s plan is more expensive than Sprint’s with 450 minutes plus unlimited text and data ($89.99 vs. $79.99).
  • Verizon’s unlimited talk and text plan with 10GB of data is more expensive than Sprint’s everything unlimited plan.

(written collaboratively with Adam Mills and Xavier Lanier)

90 Comments

90 Comments

  1. Cmb1579

    10/07/2011 at 12:48 am

    Thank you for the comprehensive breakdown.  Much appreciated!

    • Anonymous

      10/15/2011 at 5:12 pm

      The author didn’t say this but its important to note that Sprint offers unlimited calls to any mobile…so if you mostly call cell phones, a 450 plan will be enough.  Also their nights start at 7pm – not 9pm – so basically you get 450 minutes for landline calls before seven pm.  Thats unlimited to most people who use their iPhone for personal reasons.  I do wish ATT would have a tiered text plan.  Sprint should also have a tiered data plan; just think of a cheap iPhone plan with lets say 450 minutes, 50-100 texts, and 500 mb of data….undercut ATT and get people.  They might not want to because they are pushing people to the higher priced plans.  I do worry about Sprint’s speed.. So far everything Ive read and tests Ive seen on the web show a very very very slow network.  I dont feel comfortable going with Sprint because of that.  I also would think simultaneous data /talk is important for lots of people and proves very useful.

      • Anonymous

        10/15/2011 at 5:12 pm

        Oh and ATT also offers unlimited to any mobile if you buy their $20 texting plan

        • Charles Hatch20

          04/01/2012 at 8:01 pm

          Unlimited what …. Not data.

      • Stephanie

        04/08/2012 at 7:51 am

         their catalog says sprint to sprint, not sprint to “any” wireless

        • Wex

          04/08/2012 at 11:22 am

          Sorry Stephanie, you are incorrect.  This is directly from Sprint’s website.  Their EverythingData Plan includes free calls to any mobile any time.

          Any Mobile, AnytimeTMUnlimited domestic calls from the Sprint network to and from ANY U.S. mobile phone regardless of carrier. Any network, any time.

  2. Myerkes504

    10/07/2011 at 4:55 am

    How much slower for data purposes is a Verizon vs ATT?

    • Dinky

      10/07/2011 at 7:04 am

      My Verizon iPhone is usually around 1.4 Mbps . Friends AT&T is 3.5-5+ and the new phone will be faster

  3. Adam Nunez

    10/07/2011 at 7:00 am

    I like this article. I always forget about the data while calling option….

  4. Peter Collins

    10/07/2011 at 7:22 am

    Thank you!  Your article helped me to decide.

  5. Ba_sachie

    10/07/2011 at 7:33 am

    What does no simultaneous voice and data mean?  You can’t talk on the phone while looking up something, like maps or on the web?  

    • Xavier Lanier

      10/07/2011 at 7:39 am

      Exactly. It means that if you’re using your mobile data connection you can’t place or receive calls at the same time. 

      • Lmixon23

        10/14/2011 at 10:18 am

        you can dowload an app such as LINE 2 it will enable you to make phone calls over the web and also browse the web at the same time…

        • Andreybisic

          12/04/2011 at 2:48 pm

          Can you please help me with this app,and where to download it…P
          lease Thanks

    • Guest

      10/07/2011 at 7:55 am

      If you’ve never used it…. and never missed it… why do you sudden need it?
      All 100 million Verizon users don’t use it AT ALL.

      • Tyisidf

        10/07/2011 at 8:30 am

        lol, it’s one of the best features and you downplay it because some people don’t have it. this was probably someone’s argument against using the wheel for the first time.

      • Kaseam Wallace

        10/07/2011 at 1:01 pm

        This is Verizon customer:  “Hey, let me call you back so I can search my phone for something online.”

        • OddOmition

          10/10/2011 at 7:41 pm

          Here’s the thing – if you are in a non-third world location you have wifi available.
          If you have wifi available, you can talk via cell network and surf (at the same time) via wifi network.
          If you are in a third world location with no wifi, ATT probably doesn’t have coverage.
          With Verizon you can call someone to take you back to civilization.

        • AppleCore

          10/13/2011 at 8:42 am

          Here’s the thing.  If your an AT&T customer, you probably use this all the time and think it’s great, especially in that 3rd world country… ummm.. USA.

        • Vrwoods

          10/15/2011 at 4:37 pm

          Except that AT&T doesn’t have cell coverage at my own house. Or my workplace. Oh, but if I find myself in Europe I have coverage! :/

        • Tanner

          12/27/2011 at 9:58 am

          BS. Had at&t for 3 months, worst mistake ever made. Switched to Verizon and had to be the best I have had so far. Had them for 8 years no and have never had a prob.

    • Selin_a67

      03/11/2012 at 10:42 am

      my best friend has a iphone 4S from verizon and she can talk on the phone while looking up things on the web…

  6. Guest

    10/07/2011 at 7:56 am

    If I initially buy my iPhone4S with Verizon… what happens after 2 years?
    Can I switch that same phone to Sprint or AT&T and pay month-by-month?

    • whoever

      10/10/2011 at 7:45 pm

      Nope – Each phone has hardware (chip) in it that is specific to the carrier – thus an AT&T phone will only work on AT&T, the same for Verizon and Sprint.  So, you are not just locked into a carrier due to the contract, but also due to the phone itself.

      • vvv_us

        10/11/2011 at 5:18 pm

        Not true with iPhone 4S – it has both GSM and CDMA radio parts.

        • YadayadaYADA

          10/29/2011 at 6:05 pm

          It is software related plus they want to sell you a phone so your locked in for 2 years.

    • FirstArkansasNews

      10/19/2011 at 7:58 pm

      You can unlock your iPhone and use any carrier you want after your contract is up. But aren’t the chances good you’ll want to dump the 4S and go with something newer by then?

      The shelf life on an iPhone isn’t that long. That iPhone 4 I got in July 2010 was showing its age badly just six months later and the same will likely be true of the 4S.

      • Drtbkr869

        10/25/2011 at 10:59 pm

        I have a 3GS that looks better than most peoples iPhone 4 it’s how you treat it I also have a 3G that runs perfect sure it’s slow and doesn’t have upgrades but it still works and again its all in how you treat a 500-800$$ device…

        • nywoman

          12/07/2011 at 9:45 am

          I have a 3G that is in perfect condition. I kept it in a hardshell case and treated it like it was an expensive piece of equipment rather than a throwaway item. Am upgrading this year to the 4S want certain features I just can’t have on my 3G phone.

  7. Guest

    10/07/2011 at 7:57 am

    Why does this article list “unlimited data” as a big disadvantage… *AND* lists “doesn’t have unlimited data” also as a big disadvantage???  

    They are both awful?

    • Guest

      10/07/2011 at 9:21 am

      Both can be an advantage and both can be a disadvantage…it clearly depends on the user’s needs.  Why would I pay more for an unlimited data plan if I don’t need it?  Why would you not offer an unlimited data plan to all customers so those who want that option can use it?  It really depends on your needs.

  8. IPhoneIsGarbage

    10/10/2011 at 6:44 am

    Ok well verizons 3G speeds are just as fast as most real life HSDPA speeds. Everytime someone is testing that, its .5mbps to 3mbps.  I usually get 1mbps to 3mbps average with verizons 3G.. Id rather have that over at&t’s lack of connection anyday!   And if you connected to WIFI you can make calls and surf the web on your phone, thats good enough for me..  AT&T isn’t good obviously, look at their ratings and service.  Im sick of the iPhone too, I’ve had iPhones since 07, I just recently switched to an Android phone and would never go back.  Apple sucks you in with the same crap every year, makes you spend all this money in their community.. Its non-sense, I learned my lesson

    • AppleCore

      10/12/2011 at 1:06 pm

      sure ;)

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1DCLQhFi3Y

      …and the 4S will do HSDPA+  Yes twice as fast as verizon in real life.

      • Dan

        10/12/2011 at 3:34 pm

        Your video is Iphone 4 att vs verizon, that’s not a HSDPA+ vs verizon 3g comparison.

        Plus… while the iphone 4s will support it, North American users will not see an immediate benefit as it appears a true HSDPA+ network exists yet. I believe this is one of the reasons ATT wants to buy tmobile so bad.
        See the link below..
        https://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/10/04/iphone_4s_new_14_4_mbps_hsdpa_4g_speeds_wont_help_americans/

        • AppleCore

          10/13/2011 at 5:40 am

          Ya… that was my point.  The video showed at&t speeds significantly faster on  HSDPA.  Just think what the 4S will do on HSDPA+.  I know HSDPA+ is still rolling out, but my experience where I live is that at&t continually improves their network while verizon does nothing. ymmv. 

  9. Riste Kocev

    10/12/2011 at 5:46 am

    free iphone aplikations end inloack jailbreak iphone , for https://download-mobile-software.blogspot.com/p/unlock-jailbreak-iphone.htmliPhone 4S: AT&T vs. Verizon vs. Sprint   

  10. MomOf4

    10/14/2011 at 9:15 am

    I’ve had AT&T for over 6 years (signed up when it was Cingular).  It was fine at my previous residence, but we moved to the Midwest 9 months ago.  Since then, I’ve had nothing but headaches with my iphone 3GS.  It drops calls like crazy, and will take, literally, hours to turn back on if the battery dies or I have to reboot – which I have to do a lot.  I’ve made numerous calls to AT&T about this, and they first started telling me a new 3G tower was going to be built 2 miles from my house within 2 weeks.  A month went by, and I called again because I got a message saying I was over-using my data plan.  I was told the tower was delayed another month.  I called 2 months later.  I was then told there was never a plan to build a tower anywhere near me.  They told me to get a new iphone because mine must be bad.  I did, and I still have problems.  I just spoke to AT&T last week, and they said the nearest tower is 100 miles away.  No plans for another tower closer to my location.
    Luckily for me, my contract expired almost 4 months ago.  Although I won’t be able to search the web and make calls simultaneously, I think I’ll be happier with Verizon.  AT&T customer service is horrible.  They obviously can’t get their information straight.  Does anyone know if that capability is in the works @ Verizon?
    I’m not dead-set on getting the iphone 4S, but I do need a new phone (my 3GS screen shattered a couple months ago).  That brings me to another question about the carriers…why can’t they offer insurance on the iphones?  It would be nice to have real insurance just like on the other phones. 

    • Veridis Quo

      10/16/2011 at 1:48 am

      all carriers offer insurance. also AppleCare+ offers accidental coverage.

    • Smail Buzzby

      10/18/2011 at 6:54 am

      You moved out in the middle of nowhere and don’t have cell signal…really?  You can check cell coverage online.  Did it not occur to you that 100 miles from the nearest gas station you might not have a cell tower next door?  You had to move there without visiting first?  And you have not met a single person that has a working cell phone in your area and could not ask them what service provider they have?

      They all offer ‘insurance’ which costs more than the phone over a two-year contract.  You broke your phone.  And your contract is up.  And you have not gone to Verizon already?

      ATT may not be that great, but you should learn to read.  And think.

      • Chilloutman

        11/29/2011 at 10:06 am

        ^ Sounds like a nasty individual. Must be angry inside.

  11. Kerri1057

    10/16/2011 at 4:11 pm

    I have Sprint service now and have never owned a “smart” phone. Thinking of buying the iphone 4 or 4s. Is there a difference in buying at the Apple store or Sprint. By the way, I am one of those who really does not need unlimited data, but the only phones at Sprint that are not smart phones seem very cheaply made and may not last the 2-year contract. All Sprint smart phones must have the unlimited data plan, plus $10.00.

  12. Amanda Thomas

    10/17/2011 at 5:38 am

    Can anyone tell me how much data is “enough”? I stopped using the iPhone 3 years ago (corporate reasons) and am now ready to buy the 4S. My previous AT&T contract had unlimited data. I’m trying to objectively evaluate the carrier options but I have no clue what kind of data usage I require. I assume most of my data would be related to sending/receiving emails, using apps, GPS, downloading from iTunes but not streaming live video/TV. Thanks!

  13. Kk

    10/18/2011 at 7:01 pm

    Hi, i’m currently in Naples FL right now and planning to get an iPhone 4S. Im confused what network to choose. I travel alot mostly in Asia. I’m planning to go to the Philippines this Feb and June for a vacation. Which plan should i choose? Please help. My current phone is a wreck. Need to buy a new one and i cant decide what network to choose. each of them have perks and down sides. HELLPPP :s

    • Anonymous

      01/01/2012 at 7:05 pm

      if you still have questions I would be willing to help you. Email me at [email protected]. Warning, I will get you on Sprint :)

      • ajajgatorfan

        03/23/2012 at 8:55 am

        AT&T, best coverage all around the world, sprint uses CDMA which is not used mostly anywhere but USA, at&t is best for you.. Unlimited data is not needed, i use my phone for youtube, download music on LTE with at&t ( which sprint doesnt even have) and because of so many people on their network 3G speeds suck, i left sprint because of bad coverage in florida( should be best area!!) so as a floridian i know whats best

  14. FirstArkansasNews

    10/19/2011 at 7:17 pm

    My iPhone 4 on AT&T drops calls like crazy here in central Arkansas (odd when one considers the AT&T HQ in this state is just up the road). Here’s the question — is it the carrier or the phone that makes using the device as, well, a phone so annoying? If Verizon customers are having better luck, it may well be AT&T that’s at fault. If the iPhone 4 is as unreliable on Verizon, then it’s Apple’s problem. If Apple is to blame, will the 4S be any more reliable?

    • Avikaner

      10/28/2011 at 5:09 am

      We switched from AT&T to Verizon. Good: no more dropped calls. By far the most important improvement. Bad: can’t look something up on Internet while talking, can’t do most conference calls. Bottom line: if not dropping calls is most important, then no-brainier to go to Verizon.

  15. jam

    10/21/2011 at 8:38 am

    Im currently using Sprint. I live in Chicago and the coverage here is perfect for me. I’ve had my HTC EVO for a year now and haven’t had any problems with sprint. No call drops or anything. Since the iPhone is available for sprint now, when my contract ends in Oct. 2012 (although I can get an upgrade in august which I will) I will be getting the iPhone with sprint.

  16. Scott-C

    10/21/2011 at 3:40 pm

    Just switch to US Cellular and forget the Apple. Stop playing with your food! Get an android and switch every year to the latest and greatest.

    • Rileyodean

      02/04/2012 at 1:42 am

      Yea only if ur on a price plan that allows u to upgrade every year AND to a flip phone. Sprint will capture the market with its price plans and wide array of phones and a network that is just fine unless u buy a cheap fone.

    • Lon

      05/12/2012 at 4:44 pm

      Apple is so much better than Android that there is no comparison. It’s been my observation that people who purchase Androids do so because they are cheaper. Then they spend all their free time wandering around trying to convince everyone that their Android is better than and iPhone. Have you noticed how iPhone people never try and “sell” anyone else on the iPhone. That’s because people who buy iPhone’s are happy with their purchase and secure enough to realize that the phone is not for everyone. If you can’t afford the iPhone, then you should get the Android, it’s not a big deal. But please for heaven’s sake stop annoying all the iPhone people about your Android. We don’t care what your talking on and beside’s we’re busy enjoying all the millions of great applications and features available for the iPhone.

      • Caileigh

        05/22/2012 at 2:19 pm

        btw though adroid market has more free apps then iphone yes iphone is a consumer friendly phone where the droid is more customizable. just a thought.

      • B

        06/15/2012 at 5:32 pm

        Ummm. You do realize that the iPhone cost the same as Androids like the EVO & Samsung Galaxy right? That kinda makes your whole argument even more ridiculous than it already was. Being the poor Android owner that I am i was shockingly also able to afford the iPad 2 the day it came out. I know they are different but i enjoy my EVO more than i do my iPad

        • lonnie brown

          09/02/2012 at 12:22 am

          I had a lot written down to say exactly what you & the person above you said, then I noticed that it had already been said, so I deleted what I wrote lol

  17. Nolan9

    10/25/2011 at 5:05 pm

    Does sprint still charge $10.00 for a 4g phone that is not in most cities,which would make their plan even with verizon.Owner of evo for a year with a $10 charge that does not exist in mphs. tn.

    • dean2

      02/15/2012 at 11:41 am

      i have the htc evo and i can not pick up a 4g signal in my area. i’ve had my evo since december 2010 and i’ve only picked up a 4g signal TWICE in a couple big cities including st louis. 4g with sprint = no no. i’m thinking about switching over to verizon to have better coverage.

  18. Jboyenga

    11/27/2011 at 2:51 pm

    with the sprint version is it compatable with “microsoft exchange” and outlook

  19. Anonymous

    12/08/2011 at 2:10 pm

    Dang I’m getting discouraged here.  No categorical winner, no significant difference among carriers–not so much that one carrier would actually step out of line and solicit for my business based upon price point or value.   This is eerily like federal voting.  I can vote as hard as I want to but there’s no real choice. 

  20. Jim P

    12/10/2011 at 7:01 am

    Seems to me why get an iPhone or any cell phone at all. Reason to wait for 4ag

  21. Allen Yu

    12/20/2011 at 12:49 pm

    Note that whether you get it through AT&T, Sprint, or Verizon – there’s a site called SPOOGL.com that gets you $22 cashback for AT&T/Verizon and $40 cashback for Sprint! Pretty crazy! Check it out 
    https://www.spoogl.com/Digital-Gadgets

    • John M.

      01/01/2012 at 9:33 pm

      I think apple made one model for all carriers that way it cheaper to make the model and they don’t need multiple models for each carrier. The best part is that this model has a sim card slot. So you can slip the sim card of any carrier and your ready to go. You can also change carrier without getting another model. This applies to all carriers that sell the iPhone 4s. Question though if this article is still alive, I’m a Verizon user and so can you at lease call and surf the web on 3G using a diferent web browser than safari? Like a something on the app store.

  22. M

    01/09/2012 at 4:19 pm

    I bought my Cingular Treo 650 about 6 years ago (iirc), now AT&T, it still chugging along for most of my needs.  Although I moved to a new place recently and its dropping calls now , and I could not get a signal in LAX a few weeks ago unless I went all the way to the end of the terminal and stood by the window, and then it was only for a few minutes before the signal went away. Its getting frustrating. 

    So now I’m at the point where I’m needing a new phone, its just getting to frustrating not being able to do things most others can do with ease, like look stuff up on the web.  I’m struggling with this decision. Most places I go have all the top 3 networks and then some. 

    My GF has an unlocked 3gs on an unlimited TMobile plan for ~$50 bucks a month that works fine for the most part, except she can’t send or receive images in text. I talked to the guy when she was paying her plan for the month and of course he said Tmobile would be best because over the long run its cheaper to buy the unlocked 4s for $700 or whatever it is and pay the cheaper unlimited service so you save more money over time, and if your in metro area you’ll have no problem with service anyway.  Does anyone on Tmobile as opposed to the other big three reviewed here?  

    • ajajgatorfan

      03/23/2012 at 8:59 am

      Opposed to tmobile.. Its terrible , i switched to at&t and have also been on verizon and sprint before, and for my job ( traveling USA) i get service everywhere i go, even where verizon didnt ( weird? )so i will stay with at&t.. Its your phone, i have been to lax with my phone and good service throughout it all, prob your phone?

  23. Anonymous

    01/14/2012 at 7:28 pm

    This is not a comment. It’s a question:
    I am on the AT&T plan. Up until 3 weeks ago, my 3GS iPhone was downloading YouTube videos just fine. Then it slowed down and they told me to upgrade to a 4S iPhone.
    With the exception of YouTube videos, everything else is miraculously fast and positively amazing.
    But the YouTube videos still are not downloading fast and often, it still stops playing and buffers. I’ve been given answers ranging from “not being near enough to a receiver” to “Verizon Wireless being better than AT&T at receiving signals.
    PLEASE; any suggestions???

    • ajajgatorfan

      03/23/2012 at 9:00 am

      BS, when loading videos on any network it will take a while.. Verizons network is slower on wireless data speeds, meaning if you switch videos will load even slower

  24. Beingsafe

    01/15/2012 at 1:45 pm

    Prior to becoming a professor I went to school with Verizon employees and they told me that their managers told them to overcharge customers as they did statistics on this and only a small percentage of customers would call for refunds. I was also told by another employee there that him and his friends at Verizon would ruin peoples’ credit by sending them to collections for charges they said they would refund. He said he could call and have this done at anytime and gave me an example. It is scary that Verizon is not monitored by the Federal government. Below is a url where I saw that what I was told is true as Verizon was found to be doing this.

    https://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/10/04/verizon-gets-caught-stealing-from-its-customers/
     

    • usaformosa

      02/22/2012 at 4:31 am

      This is anecdotal. After having leaving my cellphone on a table one night, not realizing it, I called first thing in the morning and shut off my service. Turns out it was picked up at 10PM and used all night to call Jamaica, over $1200 in calls! I called Verizon and explained. I was amazed when they simply erased the entire episode. 
      I’ve been able to change my plan anytime, up or down, add or take away features and I can always get a live service person when I call with any question. My only complaint with Verizon is the inability to use my phone when traveling out of the country. That’s it.

  25. CJ

    01/17/2012 at 9:40 am

    One thing that hasn’t been mentioned is the level of EMR (radiation) that emits from cell phones.  AT&T phones emit 28 times more dangerous radiation than CDMA types like Verizon and Sprint.  This is not something to take lightly.  Please do your research and learn how to reduce your risk and the risk for your children.  Children’s brains are more at risk for dangerous radiation from wireless devices.  To see documented studies on the subject, go to  http://www.mercola.com

  26. Veh204

    01/23/2012 at 9:24 am

    The IPhone 4S has been a blessing… Sprint Customer Service has not. While the 450min plan and data unlimited plan on its own is respectable. I had a heck of a time getting the phone to be even activated – they wanted to send me back to the Apple Store instead of taking care of the issue and then I got a manager on the phone to clarify the Apple promotion of the activation fee being fee would be honored and they validated. Well of course, when it came time to pay the bill, not only did I never receive an itemized statement and was told to pay the bill before the 30 day monthly period, they of course had charged me the activation fee. I had to speak to 3 representatives, the first dropped my call to the manager- first they told me it would go away and be credited after 2-3 billing cycles and then said they would credit half now, the second sent me to a voicemail and the third finally waived the activation fee. Ridiculous to charge me something I shouldn’t even owe. What kind of business are they running when they have competition – you should always honor what you put forth.

    • ajajgatorfan

      03/23/2012 at 9:02 am

      Left sprint due to bad coverage and terrible customer service.

  27. Rob

    01/24/2012 at 6:19 pm

    But verizon has the best coverage & let’s face it that’s really what matters

    • Rileyodean

      02/04/2012 at 1:56 am

      Verizon is way too much. Idc who u r

  28. Dwayne Culifer

    02/04/2012 at 6:52 pm

    I have the Verizon iPhone 4s and I can use data while on the calling!

  29. Rm9mrtl

    02/15/2012 at 11:48 am

    i have an iphone on at&t and pay 30 for my unlimited data plan. which yes does mean unlimited data usage, its called the grandfather clause. Sadly i do want to switch to verizon due to at&t being too over priced and not offering 100% customer satisfaction. i only enjoy the reception from at&t….

  30. [email protected]

    02/15/2012 at 4:59 pm

    AT&T and sprint are best Verizon is over priced my AT&T iPhone 4s is the fastest phone I’ve ever seen and sprint has the best data plan I rank AT&T 1 sprint 2 Verizon 3 tmobile is not even close to an option.

  31. Janette Linder

    02/17/2012 at 11:25 pm

    I’ve had both an AT&T 4S and now a Sprint 4S and I never thought I’d say this but I miss my AT&T iPhone.  On AT&T, there wasn’t a character limit per text and a text in its entirety went through complete and immediately.  On my Sprint iPhone, it breaks my texts up into several smaller texts that come out of order and sometimes not at all.  It’s like putting together a challenging puzzle trying to figure out what the other person is texting you.  I find this endlessly frustrating to the point that I’m considering switching back to AT&T, even though I have better coverage on Sprint

    • Pompom

      03/01/2012 at 4:20 pm

      I bet you missed getting throttled and up-charged as well. 

    • ajajgatorfan

      03/23/2012 at 9:04 am

      I left sprint for at&t .. They make unlimited data seem so precious and make it out we use more data the we reallly do.. I download music, listen tk youtube shows and music, all on lte, go on facebook. Ext, and never hit 2GB,

  32. Usamajefayri

    03/07/2012 at 1:44 am

    hey if i buy an at@t iphone will it work in any carrier in other contruies like in egypt

    • ajajgatorfan

      03/23/2012 at 9:04 am

      Yes!

  33. Underworld_halo22

    03/08/2012 at 6:24 pm

    I’m a sprint customer and this sh##t sucks so bad. :/ 

  34. Guest

    03/14/2012 at 7:02 am

    Just wanted to post to make 69 comments.

  35. Nj Browneyedgirl

    03/14/2012 at 1:51 pm

    I have Sprint and I am switching to AT&T this weekend because Sprint’s “unlimited” data plan is a lie – it is only unlimited if you are bouncing off one of their towers – if you live or work in a area that doesn’t have a tower you go into roaming. Go over their allowable limits and they will cancel your service with only 1 warning in writing that they mail to your home address and if you live in an apartment complex good luck.
    I have been a Sprint costomer for 10 years and received a notice last week they are cancelling my line on my contract because I have went over the allowed data roaming. I work in a town where they have no tower (At&t and Verizon both have towers here) and therefore my iPhone 4S goes into roaming everyday even if I’m not using it.
    They cancelled me and there is NOTHING you can do to resolve the issue once they decide to cancel you. the limits they allow are 300mb of data roaming and 800 mins of call roaming – if you go above that on a regular basis your are SOL – oh and for the people that are complaining about their phone looking like crap and how it doesn’t hold up well – buy an Otterbox and shut up – keep your phone protected and it will look like new forever.

    • ajajgatorfan

      03/23/2012 at 9:05 am

      At&t is the best!

  36. [email protected]

    03/25/2012 at 8:59 pm

    Even dough sprint might have unlimited date on the iPhone 4s, the Internet is really slow. I myself have sprint and wouldn’t recommended to anybody who’s looking for faster internet surfing. My iTunes music downloads one song every 5 to 10 minutes, as for Verizon every 1 to 4 minutes I use to have Verizon, but switched once I knew Verizon wasn’t offering anymore unlimited data.

    • Daniel

      05/06/2012 at 10:14 pm

      You know you could have kept your unlimited data with Verizon? Existing customers are grandfathered in, even when it’s time to renew their contract. Everyone in my family who’s been on Verizon since before the switch, including myself, still has unlimited data, as long as they had an unlimited data plan while it was still offered.
      Unfortunately for you, since you already left, if you decided to switch back you’d be considered a new customer and would have to get a tiered plan.

  37. Jess

    04/05/2012 at 7:29 pm

    trying to get out of my contract with tmobile. it may have been a good provider in the past, but now it’s become pretty garbage. their prices are pretty decent but service isn’t as good anymore. all i want is a good provider, i want to get what i pay for… any suggestions what provider is worth      the money you spend on???

  38. Dakota

    06/20/2012 at 8:53 pm

    I think AT&T is the best. I had verizon and it was so slow and the voice quality sucks. My friend has Verizon now and I can’t even here him half the time. It takes him forever to receive text messages. So that shows you that AT&T is better then Verizon!:)

  39. tameka

    07/15/2012 at 7:28 pm

    I left at&t for verizon, i have a white iphone 4s and i love it! I had a samsung in fuse with at&t but i canceled my service because their 2 year contract, they wanted $599.99 for a iphone 4s and i traded my phone with verizon since they only wanted $218 and i only paid $100 for my brand new iphone because they bought my phone for $120…THANKS GOD !! i wanted the iphone 4s bad

  40. tameka

    07/15/2012 at 7:28 pm

    I left at&t for verizon, i have a white iphone 4s and i love it! I had a samsung in fuse with at&t but i canceled my service because their 2 year contract, they wanted $599.99 for a iphone 4s and i traded my phone with verizon since they only wanted $218 and i only paid $100 for my brand new iphone because they bought my phone for $120…THANKS GOD !! i wanted the iphone 4s bad

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