I have a new phone! I’m not bragging because I got the latest model or the coolest software. In fact, as far as specs go, I understand I took a “step down.” I went from 4G to 3G, and MMS to SMS messaging (no photos,) and the camera is no competitor for it’s predecessor in my purse. HOWEVER… it has a working power button, it is water and drop resistant, it is smaller, it is lighter AND… I have UNLIMITED talk/text/data for $19 a month! Yep, you read that correctly.
They aren’t well-known yet, but it won’t take long; Republic Wireless is definitely a valid option in the cell phone arena. No contracts, the phone is purchased up front and owned outright. When wifi is available, calls and data usage are completed over the wifi network. When wifi is unavailable, unlimited calling and data are available on the Sprint network.
The Motorola Defy is the one that I purchased. There are a few downsides to choosing this phone.
- Calls made on wifi will drop when the wifi signal is no longer available. There is no switching from Wifi to Sprint mid-call. However, wifi can be turned off prior to the call, if the caller knows it is going to happen.
- It doesn’t have the latest Android operating system, but everything I needed (facebook, meetup, gmail and calendars and MAPS) works just fine!!
- No MMS texting (no photos!) I am counting on this not being an issue, because I have unlimited data and access to gmail, hangouts and facebook constantly.
- 3G, not 4G service when out and about. For me, I’m usually using my data when I’m home, with great wifi. When Im out, I mostly use maps. I don’t think this will bother me much.
The plus sides are amazing!
- The phone is purchased up front (At this time, the Defy is $99 and the MotoX is expected to be $299) and is owned by the customer after that point. No fee for device if you cancel, and no returning the device (unless you cancel and want refund in the first 30 days.)
- There is NO contract! Month-to-month service and for affordable prices! For the defy, unlimited everything is $19!!
- Because calls are completed on wifi when available, if you have a great wifi signal, calls are CLEARER and more dependable than their mobile counterparts.
My Defy arrived yesterday. It’s tiny. I’m glad. It’ll fit in my pocket, my purse, wherever. It’ll save us major money each month. The calls are clear, the texts are instant and the battery is amazing compared to what I’ve gotten used to. I had it on, unplugged, all night… and it’s still almost fully charged and running fine! Hooray! We’ll see, as the days and weeks and months pass, whether I continue to enjoy my “step back.” I anticipated carrying two phones for a while, but I’m already shelving the “other one” when I’m out of the house. If you are concerned about the downsides of the Defy, consider the MotoX, due to arrive this week… OR, red the Defy Roadmap!
Want to know what brought me to Republic? Read on…
I have a Verizon Wireless HTC Thunderbolt. I’ve suffered dropped calls, sometimes 4 in the course of one conversation, and missed calls and missed or missing texts, for as long as I can recall. For days, it has asked me to “Please wait until your phone has been activated and restarted. This process may take up to 2 minutes.” It does this periodically, especially after the batter dies and I have to re-insert the battery to turn it back on. Why do I have to do such a silly thing? Well… the power button on my HTC Thunderbolt doesn’t work anymore. It didn’t take a drop or anything, it just failed. As a result, I can’t use the home button either, since pressing the power button and home at the same time results in a screenshot. I’ve deleted HUNDREDS of screenshots over the last few months. To be able to turn my phone on, without a power button, I had to install an app called Wake Up Screen. To tell my phone to go to sleep again, I had to install an app called Widget Locker.
Why didn’t I call Verizon and have them give me a new one? Well… when we signed up for service, we decided to get “insurance.” I was happy to have it. The first phone I dropped outside of my car and shattered the screen – I paid $99 and got a new one, an upgrade (thanks to backorder), the Thunderbolt. But it was faulty… so I had to wait for a new, new phone. (It appeared to be a factory refurb and the screen hadn’t been installed properly.) The new one was great. I think that one took a face down fall (despite a case) and we couldn’t repair the screen. So… $99 and a replacement later, I had my last one. They only let you do it twice. I got it. I cased it and did my best. No drops, no problems (if you don’t count the missing/dropped calls and texts.) I did count those, though. I tried reaching Assurion, the insurance company, about their warranty. No response. No answer on calls, no answer on the help form. So, I reached out to Verizon. I was basically told that I had no options. The phone wasn’t a Verizon warranteed phone, it was an Assurion Warranteed phone. When the power button ceased working, a common problem for that phone, I had the same issues. I was offered a free upgrade, early, with no penalty (BUT… with an additional 2 years tacked onto our contract.) When I explained that I just wanted help reaching Assurion, I was told that they couldn’t assist.
I felt like I had been ushered towards an insurance company who had close enough ties to Verizon for V to take the payment for services, but apparently not enough of a tie to communicate between them. I didn’t want to commit to more time without seeking other options. I do understand that I did damage two devices all on my own, which is why we bought insurance, right? I don’t blame Verizon for a faulty device… but I am a little bitter that I couldn’t get help. My last ditch effort was to ask out of my contract, minus the crazy early termination penalty, one month early and, understandably, they refused. Additionally, I asked for information on porting my phone number early and was told that even if I ported ONE DAY before the contract end date, I would be charged the ETF. So, I looked at my options And… as you read above, I found one.
