smartphone Question

[moto-camaro]

hey guys, i've got a question on 'smart phones'.

through my cell provider i get an upgrade every 3 years, and mine is up now. i went into the dealer today to check out what phones are available, and pretty much decided on the Samsung Omnia. now, the salesperson told me that in order to get a smartphone, i have no choice but to put a 'smartphone data package' onto my account.

now, i was always under the impression that you could use one of these phones the same as a standard cellphone, and just not put the data package on it. my phone now has unlimited internet, text, voicemail, plenty of calling time, photo transfers (it's pretty much the ideal package for me).
the data package is going to add an extra 20-25 bucks per month onto my phone plan, something i'd like to preferably avoid. i don't need e-mail on a phone, as none of my e-mail are the urgent that i need them instantaneously, and require an immediate response. if i'm needed that badly, sombody can call me.


here's my question:
when you buy a smartphone, do you HAVE to put the 'smartphone package' on it? or is this being fed to me to make an extra buck.

[Chevyrocker]

It sounds like you have a data plan already because the data plan just gives you unlimited internet, e-mial, and things that you already have. I'd go to another store if I were you. While you're there, look at a Blackberry Bold or Storm, Palm Pre, Google G1, or iphone 3G, (depending on your carrier). I can't stand the new Samsung phones.

[TJTKSDMJ8]

I dont think you have to buy the plan but it will be like being at a strip club.. You will be able to see all the things it can do...and even come up with things you want to do, but all you can do is hope and at the end of the day, you feel empty handed and hoping for more!

[2SSJIM]

Any 3G network will require the Data package, but you can cancel that package at most of the phone stores after 60 days. I thought I would cancel it when I got the IPHONE but it really comes in handy when your out on town and decide to go to a certain restraunt, movie ... etc. and need to find an address. Now if you have Verizon (Which I don't ... right now), you can share the minutes with the phone in your Camaro! I have 1.5 years left on AT&T!

[moto-camaro]

i'm on the Bell network up here in canada, which unfortunately runs on the CDMA-EVDO network, so the iPhone is a no-go for me, i'd love to get one though. the selection of phones on the network is decent, but we're missing alot.

i'm REAL hesitant on moving from the standard cellphone to something with a keyboard, let alone a touchscreen-full keyboard. but i've got an iPod touch, and i've fiddled with that and i figure i'll be able to adjust soon enough.

i might try going to one of the other dealers in town (there's 3-4 of them) and seeing what they say. my plan now isn't listed as a data package, it's actually 1 main plan, with a 'fun bundle', a ton of features combined that get added to your plan when you buy it.

[ljustin293]

I have the omnia!! I was told that I had to have that package as well

[manimsoblack]

As far as i know it's a requirement now because when it wasn't people would run their bills up very high and complain and say that they didn't know it would cost so much. so by making it mandatory for those phones they eliminating that problem.

[Justin]

You're ESPECIALLY screwed because you're using CDMA. You have to actually call and provide them with the ESN, so you can't do a SIM swap. If you want a bit more freedom with phone selection, jump on a GSM network.

But, all in all, different carriers have different policies about data plans, and sometimes there are ways around them.

[moto-camaro]

how do you find the omnia? i've taken to watching a few of those youtube videos some guys put up, the reviews, seems pretty decent. if the data coverage plan turns out to be true, i'll likely look at an instinct instead.
too bad it's a requirement, i like the interface on the omnia, with windows. man, if apple released a CDMA iPhone (unlikely), or if GSM had better coverage i'd have one of those in an instant.

oh i'd love nothing more than to jump on the GSM bandwagon, only problem is one of the areas i travel a fair bit too isn't covered on the GSM network, only the CDMA network is available. rumor has it it's going to get coverage in the next year or so. Ghetto, i know.

[PaycekZ28]

I have an Omnia too. Love it!! Don't get Blackberry Storm. If available through your carrier, I would def. go with the Palm Pre...heard its awesome. Also, I think you should be getting the Omnia HD in Canada before Christmas this year. Google it, it is BAD ASS!!

As far as the data plan goes, you will need. Only reason not to get one is if you RARELY check e-mail, surf web, etc. If you go without one, your service provider will charge you per kilobyte sent and received. Which, if you watch just a few videos on Youtube, could cost you about as much as the data plan anyway. I have Verizon, and my bill is no higher than $65/month with data plan, and 500 txt and 500 min.

[Paperer]

Yeah, definitely get the data plan if you get a smart phone. Or else someone will be like "Ooooh let me see your phone" and they hand it back and they've gotten on MySpace, watched videos, and went to a few websites. Then you get your bill and it's hundreds of dollars.

[moto-camaro]

it's a toss up between the omnia or the instinct right now, and it's all over whether of not i go for the dataplan or not. my plan now, 20$ add-on give me unlimited internet, unlimited text, voicemail, call-id, and i think it has a media-pack (tv) in it too, never used that though.

i'll probably wind up with the Instinct, i'll keep the same plan i have now. if i want to bring in e-mails i'll just use my unlimited internet and check them online