HTC Droid Eris (Verizon Wireless) $49.99 @ Walmart/Lets Talk

[Jughead]

I still don't get how to do an upgrade. Every place tries to force you into buying a plan instead of specifying your existing information.

[mithun2005]

excellent price. Thanks

[carabuser]

I think you have to get a data package with this phone, someone correct me if I am wrong

[Kevin071586]

Quote from carabuser : I think you have to get a data package with this phone, someone correct me if I am wrong

You are absolutely right. Verizon requires consumers to purchase a data plan with anything they consider to be a "smart phone", which translates into anything with a big screen. There are very few exceptions to this.

The cheapest data plan available to consumers is a $29.99/month plan, and don't mistake this---- this is an ADDITIONAL $29.99 on top of your current monthly plan. The best option, from what I can tell, is to get a "Connect Plan" for a monthly charge of $69.99/month if I remember correctly. That gets you 450 talk minutes, and a limited data usage (even if they say it is unlimited, its bullshit).

I was considering getting the HTC Droid Eris or the Motorola Droid yesterday when they came out, but I can't justify spending $30/month on internet for a phone, when I hardly spend $20/month for home internet. There are plenty of wifi hotspots around me, so there is no reason that I need to use verizon's mobile broadband network when there are faster alternatives. There are very few times when I absolutely NEED to get online like that.

So if you jump at this deal, keep in mind that you are signing a contract for two years. At a minimum, that will cost you $30/mo * 24mo. = $720 in addition to your current monthly bill. Early termination fees have also been increased by Verizon, or will be in a week, to around $350.00.

Proceed with caution. Verizon is relentless.

[bersh31]

Quote from Kevin071586 : You are absolutely right. Verizon requires consumers to purchase a data plan with anything they consider to be a "smart phone", which translates into anything with a big screen. There are very few exceptions to this. The cheapest data plan available to consumers is a $29.99/month plan, and don't mistake this---- this is an ADDITIONAL $29.99 on top of your current monthly plan. The best option, from what I can tell, is to get a "Connect Plan" for a monthly charge of $69.99/month if I remember correctly. That gets you 450 talk minutes, and a limited data usage (even if they say it is unlimited, its bullshit). I was considering getting the HTC Droid Eris or the Motorola Droid yesterday when they came out, but I can't justify spending $30/month on internet for a phone, when I hardly spend $20/month for home internet. There are plenty of wifi hotspots around me, so there is no reason that I need to use verizon's mobile broadband network when there are faster alternatives. There are very few times when I absolutely NEED to get online like that. So if you jump at this deal, keep in mind that you are signing a contract for two years. At a minimum, that will cost you $30/mo * 24mo. = $720 in addition to your current monthly bill. Early termination fees have also been increased by Verizon, or will be in a week, to around $350.00. Proceed with caution. Verizon is relentless.

Thanks for your opinion post. Very helpful to the deal to know that you don't want to spend the extra $30/month.

[jays92]

Quote from bersh31 : Thanks for your opinion post. Very helpful to the deal to know that you don't want to spend the extra $30/month.

Also, if you are going to spend an extra $30/mo for the Motorola Droid or this Eris, consider the 2-year cost.

While this Eris is cheaper initially than the Droid, it has Android 1.5, which means it does not quite do Google Maps navigation as well as the Droid.

I am looking at both phones. But I figure if you are going to spend an extra $30/mo x 2 years, consider paying more to get the latest Android OS.

With a 2 year contract, you have 2 years to use a less functional Eris. You pay the same $30/mo x 2 years (= $720). Alternatively, you pay more up front, and you get to use the Droid for 2 years. And who knows what kind of resale value these phones will have on e-bay after the 2-year contract.

This is NOT meant as a flame. Nor do I always recommend a more expensive phone. I am just offering a little math to the consideration.

[Endallian]

Quote from Kevin071586 : You are absolutely right. Verizon requires consumers to purchase a data plan with anything they consider to be a "smart phone", which translates into anything with a big screen. There are very few exceptions to this. The cheapest data plan available to consumers is a $29.99/month plan, and don't mistake this---- this is an ADDITIONAL $29.99 on top of your current monthly plan. The best option, from what I can tell, is to get a "Connect Plan" for a monthly charge of $69.99/month if I remember correctly. That gets you 450 talk minutes, and a limited data usage (even if they say it is unlimited, its bullshit). I was considering getting the HTC Droid Eris or the Motorola Droid yesterday when they came out, but I can't justify spending $30/month on internet for a phone, when I hardly spend $20/month for home internet. There are plenty of wifi hotspots around me, so there is no reason that I need to use verizon's mobile broadband network when there are faster alternatives. There are very few times when I absolutely NEED to get online like that. So if you jump at this deal, keep in mind that you are signing a contract for two years. At a minimum, that will cost you $30/mo * 24mo. = $720 in addition to your current monthly bill. Early termination fees have also been increased by Verizon, or will be in a week, to around $350.00. Proceed with caution. Verizon is relentless.

"Connect Plan"is not eligible for any new smart phones.
So as you so thoroughly posted,your on the hook for $29.99 a month,they will not let you activate any smart phone without an additional Data plan.

[TFJ4]

Quote from Jughead : I still don't get how to do an upgrade. Every place tries to force you into buying a plan instead of specifying your existing information.

I would like to know that too!

[rdogg1026]

Remember, this is the Droid Eris..... Not the Motorola Droid. I wasn't aware they released 2 phones on the same day. Just giving you guys a heads up.

[hafiz30]

Quote from Kevin071586 : You are absolutely right. Verizon requires consumers to purchase a data plan with anything they consider to be a "smart phone", which translates into anything with a big screen. There are very few exceptions to this. The cheapest data plan available to consumers is a $29.99/month plan, and don't mistake this---- this is an ADDITIONAL $29.99 on top of your current monthly plan. The best option, from what I can tell, is to get a "Connect Plan" for a monthly charge of $69.99/month if I remember correctly. That gets you 450 talk minutes, and a limited data usage (even if they say it is unlimited, its bullshit). I was considering getting the HTC Droid Eris or the Motorola Droid yesterday when they Proceed with caution. Verizon is relentless.

I would recommend buying an unlocked phone then

[Kevin071586]

Quote from hafiz30 : I would recommend buying an unlocked phone then

It isn't really as simple as that. Both the Droid, and Droid Eris, are required to have a data plan. Even if you get a phone from ebay, or an 'unlocked' phone from elsewhere, verizon won't allow it to be connected to their network.

Phones have ESN (Electronic Serial Numbers) that identify the phone. You can't use these phones, plain and simple, without a ridiculously costly data plan. At least, you can't until someone figures out how to hack the ESN on the phone which has yet to be successful.

[bengrulz]

Verizon really gouges you by not having a texting and data combined plan. Nor do they have an unlimited texting plan. $90 a month gets you 450 minutes, unlimited data, and 5000 texts.

Comparable to the iphone on ATT, but say you had a mytouch or the upcoming behold II on tmobile. You would get 500 minutes, unlimited data, unlimited texts, for $80. This is if you get the equipment subsidy. If you were to bring your own handset (G1's and mytouches are about 2-300 on craigslist/ebay), you would only need to pay $60 a month.

As much as I would love to have verizon's 3g coverage and the DROID, the price difference isn't worth it. Can't wait to see what android phones tmobile gets next year!

[rocktest]

Quote from bersh31 : Thanks for your opinion post. Very helpful to the deal to know that you don't want to spend the extra $30/month.

We're on a deal site, why shouldn't he talk about the extra costs associated with this? Your sarcasm was even more helpful...

[bersh31]

Quote from rocktest : We're on a deal site, why shouldn't he talk about the extra costs associated with this? Your sarcasm was even more helpful...

The deal is about the price of the phone. I don't have a problem with someone pointing out there's a $30/month fee. But you don't need multiple paragraphs to point that out and just keep saying he doesn't want to pay for it. There are many people who are willing to or already are.