If you're not an AT&T, Sprint, or Verizon customer, but the iPhone is tempting you in that direction, you've got two decisions: which model do you buy (8 GB for the iPhone 4 or 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB for the iPhone 4S) and do you buy it from AT&T, Sprint, or Verizon (and, if you live in some rural areas, smaller regional carriers)?
While the three carriers sell the same iPhone, they don't offer the same plans, monthly prices, and experiences. So, to help you decide between the Sprint iPhone, Verizon iPhone, and AT&T iPhone, here's how the companies stack up on a number of key issues. The chart at the bottom of the article provides the same information in an easy-to-compare format.
Cost of Phone: Apple tightly controls the pricing of its products, especially flagship ones like the iPhone. As a result, Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T charge the same amount for the iPhone, with a two-year contract: US$199 for the 16GB model, $299 for the 32GB, $399 for the 64 GB. The small regional carriers all charge about $50 less for the same models, with a two-year contract
Advantage: Even (or, if you live in an area served by a regional carrier, the advantage goes to them)
Cost of Monthly Plan: When you buy an iPhone, you'll need to buy both a calling plan and a data plan to use wireless Internet. You may also want to get a text messaging plan. AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon's calling plans are basically the same. Verizon and AT&T's text messaging plans are very close, while Sprint includes theirs in all calling plans. (C Spire, it should be noted, offers the cheapest plans, at $70/month for unlimited, but it's a much smaller company.) Where the companies diverge, though, is data plans. AT&T offers a $15/month plan that Verizon doesn't, Sprint charges just $10 for unlimited data, and AT&T's 2GB/month plan is $5 less than Verizon's identical option. As a result of AT&T's slightly lower cost for unlimited calling + data, it gets the edge.
Advantage: AT&T, but not by much (rural residents may want to check out their local regional carrier)
Length of Contract: To get the subsidized prices noted above, all companies require a two-year contract.
Advantage: Even
Coverage: AT&T is notorious for its poor service in major cities like San Francisco and New York, and Sprint is generally seen as having less coverage than either competitor. Besides that, Verizon is generally heralded for a network with fewer dead spots and problems.
Advantage: Verizon
Network Quality: Verizon takes the title here, too. A good indication of the company's network quality is that its dropped-call rate is 1.4%, while Sprint's is 2.7% and AT&T's is 4.6% (Source: ChangeWave Research). I was unable to find data on regional carriers' dropped calls.
Advantage: Verizon
3G Speed: Another area that is influenced by the robustness of a phone company's network is the speed at which its users can surf the Internet over 3G. In this area, AT&T generally tests out at a bit less than 10% faster than Verizon (Source: PC Mag). AT&T's lead will only grow with the iPhone 4S, since it's the only U.S. carrier that supports the faster 14.4 Mbps data speeds that the 4S offers.
Advantage: AT&T
Use Data/Voice Simultaneously: This is a major differentiator. Imagine needing to look something up online using a Maps app or email program while talking to someone on a phone call. Users of the AT&T iPhone can do this, but Verizon and Sprint users can't. With the Verizon or Sprint iPhone, it's voice or data, but not both at the same time.
Advantage: AT&T
Insurance: Since it's a somewhat pricey device, you may want to insure your iPhone against theft, loss, or damage. If so, AT&T is the clear the winner. Its iPhone insurance costs $6.99/month, while Verizon charges $10.99/month (though there are many other options for iPhone insurance, too). Sprint doesn't seem to offer its insurance plans on the iPhone at all, instead suggesting that customers buy Apple's $99 AppleCare Plus extended warranty. If you're a C Spire customer, though, you're in luck: its iPhone insurance is just $4.95.
Advantage: AT&T
Early Termination Fee: Every cell phone company charges customers an early termination fee, or ETF, if they leave the company before their two-year contract expires. Both companies charge pretty high prices (though both reduce their ETFs by $10 for every month you're under contract; i.e., if you're under contract for two months before you break it, your ETF is reduced by $20), but AT&T's ETF is $325, a small savings compared to Sprint and Verizon's $350. I was unable to find most regional carriers' ETF costs, but rest assured they one (like every cell phone company)
Advantage: AT&T, but barely
Learn about regional carriers' prices and plans
iPhone 4SCosts(with contract)
16 GB - US$199
32 GB - $299
64 GB - $399
32 GB - $299
64 GB - $39916 GB - US$199
32 GB - $299
64 GB - $399Voice: $39.99-$69.99/month
Data: $15-$25/month
Texts: $5-$20/monthVoice: $39.99-$99.99/month
Data: $10/month
Texts: IncludedVoice: $39.99-$69.99/month
Data: $30-$80/month
Texts: $5-$20/monthData & Voice Use Simultaneously$325, reduces by $10/month under contract$350, reduces by $10/month under contract$350, reduces by $10/month under contract
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