Virgin Mobile Phones, anything goes thread.

[billm261]

Before the rumors and speculation thread (#2) gets shut down let this be the place where we can post topics that are not suitable for that thread.

Why can't we get a good phone?

Is Boost going to get the better devices?

Just an example but this will be the proper place.

[billm261]

It is my guess that most Virgin Mobile customers are on the Beyond Talk 25.00 plan. Maybe we should do a poll? It's cheap and there is nothing close. Since Sprint has a measly 27.00 per month ARPU in its Q3/2011 report it makes sense.

It would not surprise me to see Boost Mobile start getting the better Android devices for the simple reason they must be on either the 55.00 monthly or 2.00 daily unlimited plan. They are not going to break their backs to offer a higher end device for those paying 25.00 a month.

Maybe they don't think we're worth it, maybe the bean counters think a 25.00 a month customer would never pay 400 for a phone. How many people have posted in the forum that if it wasn't for the fact they only pay 25 a month they would leave? They know that too.

If Virgin Mobile came out with a real legitimate contender but made it that you have to be on the 55.00 a month plan who would abandon their grandfathered plan?

I really think that if your looking for a high end phone, VM is not going to be the carrier.

[exuberance]

I chose VM b/c of the $25 plan; that's all I'm hanging on to. If I had to choose between VM's 35/month or Tmobile's 30/month, I'd probably go with T-mobile.

[vmobi]

Before the rumors and speculation thread (#2) gets shut down let this be the place where we can post topics that are not suitable for that thread.

Why can't we get a good phone?

Is Boost going to get the better devices?

Just an example but this will be the proper place.

Nice effort, but isn't that what the VM lounge was set up for???

Sent from my HTC_A510c using HowardForums

[martin_j001]

The lounge is for things not specifically related to VM phones or service. This thread is indeed about both VM phones and service, so it's in the right spot.

[yomuppet]

I chose VM b/c of the $25 plan; that's all I'm hanging on to. If I had to choose between VM's 35/month or Tmobile's 30/month, I'd probably go with T-mobile.

You're actually making that choice every single month, whether you realize it or not (albeit in your case, VM/$25 vs T-mo/$30, but still, you're making the choice every month to say with VM)

[billm261]

I chose VM b/c of the $25 plan; that's all I'm hanging on to. If I had to choose between VM's 35/month or Tmobile's 30/month, I'd probably go with T-mobile.

But could you get by with 100 minutes?

I'm pretty sure management sleeps good at night knowing they own the 25 plan and are not too worried about keeping those customers by offering a high end phone.

The higher the plan on VM, the less attractive they become especially with a "blah" device.
If you can afford 55 a month for VM, spend another 5 and get a great GSM phone on Jolt, Red Pocket, Simple and even T-Mobile.

[vmobi]

But could you get by with 100 minutes?

I'm pretty sure management sleeps good at night knowing they own the 25 plan and are not too worried about keeping those customers by offering a high end phone.

The higher the plan on VM, the less attractive they become especially with a "blah" device.
If you can afford 55 a month for VM, spend another 5 and get a great GSM phone on Jolt, Red Pocket, Simple and even T-Mobile.

Great comparisons...
You can already use an Apple iPhone 4s on PREPAID Jolt, that will probably expedite the iPhone 4S introduction @ Virgin Mobile USA.

I sure hope Sprint mgmt won't loose sleep over that Jolt PREPAID iPhone.

Wondering how Apple feels about selling all those additional PREPAID iPhones? Oh no, their image is sure gonna get tarnished now...

Sent from my HTC_A510c using HowardForums

[Big Blue 023]

I think even at the new, higher $35 pricepoint, VM still has a contender. But the old $25 plan was a champion take on all comers, no contest type of deal. I went to the local Best Buy and all I saw were Androids, Androids, Androids. Face it, without a need to counterweight the iphone, Android would not be as big as it is. It is the one true alternative to the all encompassing ios.

And OP has a point. If one wants the iphone and is an unlimited everything user, just get an iphone on an Att mvno like Jolt or Red Pocket already.

It's all about the phones. It's all about the plans. No, it's all about the users who have the power of choice in prepaid.

[billm261]

Great comparisons...
You can already use an Apple iPhone 4s on PREPAID Jolt, that will probably expedite the iPhone 4S introduction @ Virgin Mobile USA.

I sure hope Sprint mgmt won't loose sleep over that Jolt PREPAID iPhone.

Wondering how Apple feels about selling all those additional PREPAID iPhones? Oh no, their image is sure gonna get tarnished now...

You have made bold predictions of an iPhone arriving on VM and as much as I'd like to see one, I doubt it.
I doubt it even more since you stated a 4S. Apple is not selling those prepaid phones, that's a foolish statement and you know it. What happens in the secondary market is out of their control as is all the cloning going on with Androids on Boost or Virgin illegal or not. You still need a jailbroken device to make everything work.

We here on Ho-Fo and the other forums out there know about all the tricks, hacks, and little known MVNO companies that are out there. Many of them that you only see in your local convenience store.

It's irrefutable that VM owns the 25.00 a month smart phone customer and if that's all they are willing to spend (for what ever reason) they are not going to more than double their bill just for a device. It seems that most of those leaving VM are hopping on that 30 a month T-Mobile plan, not the 60 & 70 variety.
The nice thing is, the can get a Sensation, MyTouch 4G Galaxy S2 and enjoy real good data speeds on a real good device.

You yourself are rockin a nice Droid3 on PP which network comparison aside, smokes anything in the VM lineup.

VM simply does not need to worry about bringing a high end device to market in fear of loosing it's 25.00 a month customer.

[ONE80ONEDAY]

So I won't get banned here for discussing future VM phones?

[billm261]

So I won't get banned here for discussing future VM phones?

This is the "let it all hang out" thread.
Lets discuss anything VM device and service related (as well as other provider comparisons) here

[Whyzor]

Why does it even cost VM so much to bring a phone into their lineup, they're not even subsidizing (officially) the phones. They shouldn't care, and just let it open up, allow Sprint phones to be used, or even Verizon phones, it's to their benefit because they're selling the monthly service, more device options should only make them more attractive.

[mch]

Before the rumors and speculation thread (#2) gets shut down let this be the place where we can post topics that are not suitable for that thread.

Why can't we get a good phone?

Is Boost going to get the better devices?

Just an example but this will be the proper place.

This is the main problem with the Sprint MVNOs in my opinion and the reason I'll be departing. My basic requirements is for a reasonably powerful smartphone with a keyboard.

Things I've tried
LG Slider - ARMv6 chip which means it is very slow. Also seems to have a weird periodic power drain issue.
Samsung Transform Ultra - seemed to have potential, but there is a screen issue that is widely discussed which renders the touchscreen very hard to use.

I've finally given up and moved to T-mobile. $30/month is nice and I have have access to a wide selection of phones. Unlike with Virgin/Boost's phone offerings, I'm actually happy with the T-mobile G2. It is fast enough for me, has a good keyboard and screen, and seems free of show stopping bugs. A little less coverage, but the 3G (fake 4G) data speeds are great. I can easily live with the 100 minutes of voice supplemented by voip when I'm near wifi.

[RawhideYeeehaw]

Why does it even cost VM so much to bring a phone into their lineup, they're not even subsidizing (officially) the phones. They shouldn't care, and just let it open up, allow Sprint phones to be used, or even Verizon phones, it's to their benefit because they're selling the monthly service, more device options should only make them more attractive.

VM makes profit on the phones it sells. No, they're not subsidized, but they are marketed.