I want to start off with saying that I loved my time on Verizon. I was a loyal customer of theirs for about 9 years. My first Verizon phone was the Motorola T720 flip phone. Then followed the LGVX8000 which was Verizon's first ever VCAST enabled phone. My Android phone lineup with Verizon has been the OG Droid, Incredible 1, Droid X, HTC Thunderbolt, Galaxy Nexus, and the Droid DNA. The road was long but my monthly cost for excellent 4G coverage was costing me big time. With my employee discount, I was still paying upwards of 190 dollars for 2 smartphones. I also had unlimited data packages still grandfathered from before the current data packages became initiated. My wife and I needed to make a change to save on costs. So we terminated our Verizon contracts.
My wife jumped on Cricket with an unlimited Voice Text and Data plan for 60 bucks. Since I had the globally unlocked Droid DNA I figured I would just order a SIM card from whomever I chose to switch to either T-Mobile or ATT and use thier respective service. I chose T-Mobile due to the monthly prepaid prices being so flexible. The plan I chose was the 30 bucks a month 100 minutes, Unlimited Text and 4G data( slowed down to 3G after 5Gigs of usage). I called T-mobile, paid 1 dollar plus tax and they sent me my SIM card in the mail. I popped in the SIM card inside my Droid DNA and watched as the signal changed from no connection to an "E" symbol. This "E" symbol is called "Edge" which is T-Mobile's GSM variant of 3G speed. I was surprised to see this because I knew for sure that 4G or T-Mobile's Version called "HSPA+" was available in my area. The next day became honestly my worst experience ever with a any type of cell service.
The Droid DNA is unlocked and has the appropriated GSM bands to work as a T-Mobile Device. With the correct APN network settings I still was barely ever connected to a HSPA+ tower and there was numerous times where I had no connection at all. I was sure it was not the DNA and it was the service. I did a quick search through forums and still had the same problems many others faced as well. To my surprise it was the Droid DNA's included GSM Bands somehow giving me poor connections. My cousin had came over my house with a Nexus 4 and was using the same prepaid plan as I was. We both stood outside and checked our connections. Full bars of HSPA+ on the Nexus4......1 bar of EDGE on the DNA. I had to get a Nexus at this point.
Last November I was using the Galaxy nexus and wanted to grab the newest Nexus 4 at that time, but there was no LTE variant being sold. I then purchased the Droid DNA, which I fell in love with. The Beautiful 1080p 5 inch screen was the deal-breaker for me. The battery life was also great for me and you can check out reviews for those as well here DNA Battery test part 1 and DNA Battery test part 2. It was all in all a great device. Unfortunately my connection problems through me a curve ball so ended up selling it on Swappa.com. Swappa is an excellent service and had a very easy selling process. You can buy and sell phones from the site and it is very trusted. Many use it and I highly recommend it for people who switch phones all the time like myself.
I used the money I received from Swappa to get a Nexus 4 from the Play Store. Ordered it on a Saturday and got the device the following Wed. Despite the play store stating shipping would be between 1-2 weeks, I was excited to receive the device in less than a week. Craigslist and Ebay had the Nexus 4 priced from sellers in the 500 range. Don't let the 1-2 week window in the PlayStore fool you. Most possibly that is when you will get your Nexus 4. Don't be drawn to people selling it overpriced and stating it is priced that way due to it being sold out in the Google Playstore. False.
Now its been a week since I have had my Nexus 4 and I am pleased to say that my T-Mobile service is excellent. I have full 4G bars everywhere and I can safely say that the speed is just as good as Verizon's 4G. Not better, but just as good. Now if I went on about how great the Nexus 4 was I would never stop writing. I am sure you can do a quick Google Search to see how great the device really is. In closing I am very happy I made the transition from Verizon to T-Mobile. It took a little work, but it all worked out in the end.
Nexus 4 For The Win.
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