vB Easy Archive - Centro - AT&T vs. Sprint

Pages: 1

Centro - AT&T vs. Sprint
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)

Posted by: GarthAlgar

The one big difference I see the wireless phone technology

AT&T model specs say this:
GSM®/GPRS/EDGE class 10 radio,quad band world phone (850/900/1800/1900MHz)

Sprint model specs this:
Dual-band CDMA2000 EvDO backward compatible with 1XRTT and IS95

And I believe a GMS phone uses a SIM card but a CDMA phone will not ...learned that here!.

For someone still in learning mode on wireless/mobile technology, what do the differences mean in reception and usage? Better coverage along I-95 DC to NYC?, Which will do better in more rural areas in the mid atlantic (NJ, metro NY, PA, MD)? AT&T model works easier outside US, in Europe?

Posted by: miles4n4

I would think the coverage would be the same on the I-95 DC - NYC route, but in rural area's maybe you should think of using VZW. Centro should be coming out any day now on VZW, but there data plans cost more as compared to other carriers.

Posted by: GarthAlgar

Thanks. Any first hand experience roaming with either carrier in Europe - UK in particular - or Canada also appreciated

Posted by: AlexKidd1977

Quote:

Originally Posted by GarthAlgar

Thanks. Any first hand experience roaming with either carrier in Europe - UK in particular - or Canada also appreciated

If your an international traveler, you'll need to go the GSM route. CDMA has very little market penetration in countries other than the United States. I'd go for the AT&T.

--Kidd

Posted by: GarthAlgar

I read this short piece on the Washington Post's website:

The two phones look virtually identical on the outside, but they differ internally. While the EvDO-capable Sprint Centro supports wireless broadband, the AT&T Centro supports only the comparatively slow EDGE network for data transmissions. Another difference surfaced in our performance tests: The AT&T Centro's battery lasted 6 hours, 47 minutes, while the Sprint-based Centro's battery lasted 4 hours, 19 minutes. Link

Can anyone confirm that the data connections really do work faster on Sprint? And what's with the bif difference in battery time?

Posted by: xburnerx

Yes Sprint's will be faster as Sprint uses EVDO which is broadband, and at&t uses EDGE which is comparable to an ISDN line. Battery time is all subjective. I'd take that with a grain of salt.

Posted by: AlexKidd1977

Quote:

Originally Posted by GarthAlgar

Can anyone confirm that the data connections really do work faster on Sprint? And what's with the bif difference in battery time?

The Sprint will be faster with an EvDO radio. The radio chipsets used will consume varying levels of electricity due to their own unique characteristics. The EvDO radio on Sprint Mobile Broadband will cosume more electricity in this case, thusly reducing total battery lifetime.

I imagine the figures they gave in the review were total talk time - I believe either will easily last you a full day of "normal" usage. Quite possibly longer.

--Kidd

Posted by: candygogo

I have Sprint's Centro and it's pretty fast. One thing-is it Rev-A?

Posted by: bopgun

Not Rev-A. Sprint's Centros come in black and red. AT&T's come in white and (I believe) green.

One big difference - you can get the Sprint Centro on the Sero plan. $30 for 500 min, data, text, 7 pm nights/wknds, free Sprint-Sprint. You'd have to pay $60-70/mo on AT&T for something similar.

Posted by: candygogo

Quote:

Originally Posted by bopgun

Not Rev-A. Sprint's Centros come in black and red. AT&T's come in white and (I believe) green.

One big difference - you can get the Sprint Centro on the Sero plan. $30 for 500 min, data, text, 7 pm nights/wknds, free Sprint-Sprint. You'd have to pay $60-70/mo on AT&T for something similar.

That's exactly how I have mine

Sort of related question-anyone using Telenav with this (and bluetooth receiver)? I wonder how the battery life would be.

Posted by: stiv_x

OK, I might be a bit biased here, but unless traveling outside the US, go with Sprint. I say that because the data service of Sprint is far superior to AT&T at this time. AT&T also charges more for the inferior data service. Unless you travel to around the world, GSM is not really all that important.

Posted by: jon341427

Wait till the beginning of june when Verizon gets the phone if you are staying in the DC to nyc area. The data on the phone will cost you 30 a month unless you need to sync it with exchange.

Roaming prices will vary depending on what country you will be in. I don't remember the Canada rate.

Posted by: stiv_x

I live in the DC area. Sprint is great around here. The WiMax is even going to be tested in the DC/Baltimore area. So, I wouldn't say that Verizon has better service in this area.

Posted by: walkguru

Wirelessly posted (Walkguru's: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; PalmSource/Palm-D062; Blazer/4.5) 16;320x320)

I have heard that sprints centro has better rf.

Posted by: GarthAlgar

Quote:

Originally Posted by jon341427

Wait till the beginning of june when Verizon gets the phone if you are staying in the DC to nyc area. The data on the phone will cost you 30 a month unless you need to sync it with exchange.

Roaming prices will vary depending on what country you will be in. I don't remember the Canada rate.

Will Verizon's model use EVDO or EDGE for data?

Posted by: candygogo

Quote:

Originally Posted by GarthAlgar

Will Verizon's model use EVDO or EDGE for data?

Verizon uses EVDO just like Sprint.

Posted by: AlexKidd1977

Quote:

Originally Posted by GarthAlgar

Will Verizon's model use EVDO or EDGE for data?

Verizon does not have an EDGE network, so it should be EVDO just like Sprint.

--Kidd

Posted by: stiv_x

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexKidd1977

Verizon does not have an EDGE network, so it should be EVDO just like Sprint.

--Kidd

Which you have to pay more for. With Sprint, you get more data services at better prices and free calling after 7pm as opposed to 9pm for Verizon. That is two extra hours a day. In the end you can get Sprint's Centro now with more services and a better price, or you can wait for the company that never stops charging you...I left verizon in March, they are still saying I owe them money for service months ago that I already paid for...silly my for going with the One Bill crap.

Posted by: monkeyboy

Remember that Sprint's service will roam onto Verizon if necessary. And as pointed out, Sprint's SERO plan is unbeatable, at $30/mo for 500AT+7pmN&W+data+text. And EVDO is much faster than EDGE, but GSM *is* kinder on the battery life than CDMA (hence the difference in quoted battery talk times).

But if you need int'l traveling, then GSM is the way to go (AT&T), but you will need to have it unlocked, etc. And if the int'l travel is only a week/year or less, then you are generally better off just getting a separate unlocked GSM phone for that purpose (as little as $20).

Posted by: stiv_x

Quote:

Originally Posted by monkeyboy

Remember that Sprint's service will roam onto Verizon if necessary. And as pointed out, Sprint's SERO plan is unbeatable, at $30/mo for 500AT+7pmN&W+data+text.

Well, I wouldn't really go as far as promoting SERO as not everyone (including myself) can get that. Regardless, Verizon charges more for their services and then more to have it unlimited. I was with Verizon for 4 years and had VCast services her in the DC area. I was never impressed. A friend let me play around with his Sprint phone with data service, and i was blown away. I switched to Sprint as soon as my contract expired. So far, I am extremely happy for the first time with my phone and service.