Best phone that can use the Grandfathered $25/month plan

[sotomatic5]

So wait...say I'm buying the EVO when it comes out and am selling my Triumph to a friend. If the friend activates the Triumph after 5/27, can he still get the grandfathered plan of $25 or will he have to go up to $35? I'm confused...

[bcm00re]

Here are some more data points for those interested. I played CSR roulette this afternoon.

• The first person I got sounded like a fellow from India. I kept it brief and just told him I was thinking about switching from my Samsung Intercept to the newly introduced Optimus Elite, and I wanted to know if I would be able to keep my $25/mo. BT plan (or if that phone would require one of the new plans). He didn't ask for my account info, but I said as long as I added the Elite to my existing plan on or before the 26th of May, that I could keep my existing plan. I asked if you could send me and email/text with that info and he said he could not.

• I waited a few minutes and called back again. This second time I got a woman that sounded like she might be in Mexico. I asked the same question, and she proceeded to ask for my account number and passcode. After that she spent some time seemingly looking at my account, and she said if I upgrade to the Elite that I would lose the plan I currently have and have to upgrade to one of the current BT plans. I asked when this would occur, and she said right at the I switched to the new phone (and not my next billing cycle).

• I called back one final time and this time was connected to a woman that may have been in the US or Mexico. Unlike the last two times, this time I explained that I was aware of the changes on May 27th and that I had read the FAQ on their website (but still had a question). I specifically said that I would upgrade to the Elite within a couple days. She said I would be able to keep my existing plan -- even after May 27th -- as long as I did my upgrad before that deadline. She did ask to make sure the phone I was talking about was NOT 4G capable, and I ensured her the Elite is only 3G. I almost got the impression if you do the phone swap with live adviser they might ask you to switch to a new plan -- but she didn't come out an say that. She did ensure me more than once though that I could keep my $25/mo. BT plan as long as I switched before the 27th. I asked her about noting that info on my account. She asked for my account number and passcode and said she noted it (but also said there was no way for me to see the note).

I just thought I'd share my experiences. I have an Elite in hand, but I haven't actually swapped my VM account to it yet (I also have a Slider new in a box).

[bcm00re]

So wait...say I'm buying the EVO when it comes out and am selling my Triumph to a friend. If the friend activates the Triumph after 5/27, can he still get the grandfathered plan of $25 or will he have to go up to $35? I'm confused...

Assuming he doesn't already have a $25/mo VM account, the only way for him to get your is to take over your account (AND your phone number). You would then have to sign up for a new VM account at $35/mo for your EVO.

[sotomatic5]

Assuming he doesn't already have a $25/mo VM account, the only way for him to get your is to take over your account (AND your phone number). You would then have to sign up for a new VM account at $35/mo for your EVO.

Boooooo. Not happening. Thanks for the reply!

[Testshoot]

I heard there was a work around to transfer your VM number to Google Voice or something like that, get a new number on the VM, and then transfer your plan.

The ability to buy a NEW VM account at the old rate is long gone, old phone or new phone. All new users are being charged $35 regardless of their phone choice.

[NCHeel]

I am in the same boat as the original poster. Have had the Intercept since it launched and am ready to throw this thing off a bridge. $25 plan so I guess it is down to the Optimus Slider as I like having a keyboard and the Triumph. I see the Slider has Android 2.3 and the Triumph is listed as 2.2. Does that make any difference? Can the Triumph upgrade to Gingerbread?

[Testshoot]

I had a keyboard phone but didn't like the extra weight and didn't text much at the time, don't text much now either so I haven't evaluated the keyboard models.

As far as the other phones, the Elite was the best deal for those who are grandfathered. I had a Triumph, but like others, found it's weaknesses (radios) more than offset the strengths.