The Verizon iPhone: Switching Now Might Be A Bad Idea
January 11, 2011
Existing AT&T customers should use caution in deciding whether to switch to Verizon. It might be a good idea in the future, but probably not right now.
Existing AT&T iPhone 4 Users
You enjoy your shiny AT&T iPhone 4, but want a new carrier? Fine, but it will cost you. Since Apple’s newest iPhone model came out last June, it means you are still early in your new contract. You will owe AT&T a cancellation fee ($325 minus $10 for each completed month on your contract). Plus, you’ll have to purchase a new iPhone 4 through Verizon.
Your existing iPhone 4 won’t work on Verizon’s network. Sure, you can sell it on eBay or Craigslist, but this will require some work on your part.
Existing AT&T iPhone 3G or 3GS Users
If your contract is up, now might be a great time to switch. After all, you won’t have to give AT&T any money to switch.
Still, there are pitfalls.
All AT&T Users
Do you really want to purchase a new iPhone 4 when an iPhone 5 is probably coming this summer? Whether having to pay a cancellation fee or not, is now the right time to purchase a seven month old device when a new one is almost certainly coming out this summer?
Plus, the Verizon CDMA network is slower than AT&T’s existing 3G network. The iPhone 5 might take advantage of next generation networks. For example, Verizon may offer the iPhone 5 on its LTE network, AT&T might do the same on its new 4G network.
Plus, the Verizon iPhone does not have a GSM chip in it for true worldwide roaming. This means, when abroad, your options are more limited than when using AT&T.
According to The Business Insider:
Verizon's list of CDMA-roaming countries includes Canada, Mexico, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, and other countries, but does not seem to include major European countries like the U.K., France, or Germany.
For comparison, AT&T says it offers GSM-based iPhone 3G roaming in 130+ countries, data coverage in 200+ countries, and voice in 220+ countriesFinally, we still don’t know anything about Verizon’s pricing plans. This news hasn’t been released yet. Maybe their fees will actually be higher?