Virgin Mobile vs Boost Mobile (plans and phones)

[parkskier10]

Hello Howardforums! I'm happy to be here and hope that I can tap into your knowledge on which provide to go with. Here is my situation: my wife and I are soon to be coming off of our 2-year contract plans (she is with Sprint and I am on Verizon). Right now she has a LG Rumor 2 which she enjoys, but we are wanting to get her a nicer phone (probably a mid range Android). I am on an iPhone 4 (love it, but open to a nice mid to high range Android).

I've been researching pre-paid plans a lot and have come down to Virgin and Boost as the best options (maybe not the cheapest but I like the total experience with these two). I'm thinking that if we went with VM we would each get the $45/month plan ($90/month total) and if we went with Boost we would need the $55/month with shrinkage (so it would eventually be cheaper at the 3 year mark). Since she is on Sprint, we know that both VM and Boost will provide good coverage in the areas we frequent most.

My questions are:
1) What phones would you recommend in each network for each of us? The ones that have caught my eye on VM are the EVO, Triumph, Optimus Elite; and on Boost the EVO, Marquee, Transform Ultra.
2) Are there any significant advantages to VM or Boost based on my circumstances?

Bonus question:
1) Is there any pre-paid option for someone with a post-paid Verizon iPhone?

Thanks for all your help!!

[Willow16]

For a Verizon iphone, you can try Page Plus. Officially, they don't allow iphones but, unofficially, many people have them on Page Plus. Since you already have the phone, try to port in from the website and see if it works. From what I have read, it's hit or miss with the CSRs as to whether they will activate the iphone. Since you already own it, it's worth a try. They have a $55/month plan with unlimited minutes/text and 2 GB of data.

[billm261]

Hello Howardforums! I'm happy to be here and hope that I can tap into your knowledge on which provide to go with. Here is my situation: my wife and I are soon to be coming off of our 2-year contract plans (she is with Sprint and I am on Verizon). Right now she has a LG Rumor 2 which she enjoys, but we are wanting to get her a nicer phone (probably a mid range Android). I am on an iPhone 4 (love it, but open to a nice mid to high range Android).

I've been researching pre-paid plans a lot and have come down to Virgin and Boost as the best options (maybe not the cheapest but I like the total experience with these two). I'm thinking that if we went with VM we would each get the $45/month plan ($90/month total) and if we went with Boost we would need the $55/month with shrinkage (so it would eventually be cheaper at the 3 year mark). Since she is on Sprint, we know that both VM and Boost will provide good coverage in the areas we frequent most.

My questions are:
1) What phones would you recommend in each network for each of us? The ones that have caught my eye on VM are the EVO, Triumph, Optimus Elite; and on Boost the EVO, Marquee, Transform Ultra.
2) Are there any significant advantages to VM or Boost based on my circumstances?

Stay away from the Triumph, it's pathetic. The EVO is a great phone for VM.

Your on target with Boost devices and the XPRT is a decent device also.

If you live in a 4G Wi-Max market get either EVO.


It all comes down to plan choices in deciding which service is better for you.

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[JDubTrey]

I've seen the EVO V (VM) and the EVO Design (Boost) get good reviews. I'd stay away from the Triumph as I've read that you have to flash a CM rom on it to get the most out of it.

For VM I'd either go with the elite (lower end..good reviews) One V (coming soon..midrange..android 4.0) or the EVO V (higher end for a prepaid..only one of the 3 that has WiMax..android 4.0).

I personally prefer VM because I don't need more than 1200 minutes and (as you said) it takes 3 years for Boost shrinkage just to break even.

[gotanmp3]

1) What phones would you recommend in each network for each of us?

In a WiMax market, your choice pretty much has already been made for you. WiMax is far superior to the EVDO (3G) speeds, it's a night and day difference. Virgin's EVO is faster, has considerably more developer support and can accept an extended battery. Boost's EVO is uh... an EVO.

In a non-WiMax market, overall Virgin has the better phones. If you really don't need an unlimited minutes plan, you won't miss Shrinkage and might as well go with Virgin.

2) Are there any significant advantages to VM or Boost based on my circumstances?

Boost ultmately ends up being cheaper for unlimited minutes, thanks to Shrinkage. It's a bit of a moot point if you don't need that plan. Boost used to have unlimited data, but now both Boost and Virgin are throttled at 2.5GB. Unofficially, (and subject to considerable debate over its legality) certain Sprint and Verizon phones can be flashed to either carrier, but Boost seems to be more popular.

1) Is there any pre-paid option for someone with a post-paid Verizon iPhone?

If the MEID is clear to be activated, Page Plus is the way to go.

[aiq]

honestly, it depends on what kind of minute plan you need. If you talk a lot, go with boost. If you use less than 1200 minutes go with vm. Also, remember there are no nights and weekend minutes with the vm plans, so what you see is what you get. I was on the 55 plan with virgin since 1200 kept falling short for me, so I decided to switch to boost.
Stay away from triumph on vm and marquee on boost. Both phones have serious issues, telling from personal experience. Go with either evo and you'll be happy.


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