Sprint Iphone 5/4S

For those with Sprint smartphones, what speeds (download & upload) are you getting on the Sprint data network?

I done the test using Speakeasy's speed test.

In the East Bay, CA (using the SF, CA server):
4G: 4.58Mbps down, 0.29Mbps up.
3G: 0.97Mbps down, 0.51Mbps up.

In Portland International Airport, OR:
4G with SF, CA server: 6.29Mbps down, 0.35Mbps up.
4G with Seattle, WA server: 8.07Mbps, 0.36Mbps up.

I can test 3G when I'm up there next week.

The 4G upload is a joke, it gets spanked by 3G. 4G coverage is spotty in the Bay Area and it's in-building penetration is terrible. I'm glad Sprint is moving to LTE.

Sprint's data network has fallen by the wayside. They can advertise unlimited, uncapped, unthrottled all they want as long as users don't mind waiting. It's slow compared to VZW's LTE network. The only benefit is if you're streaming a lot where the mediocre speeds can keep it from buffering. But when it comes to moving a lot data... weak.

It's no different than when telco's didn't impose quotas on DSL and cable companies did. My friend was like you can download all the stuff you need in a week, where as it would take me a whole month and paying the electric bill to run the computer for the other three weeks.

When 3G networks first came out, Sprint's network was good. Now that they've stopped bleeding customers and can hold onto some of them, hopefully they'll start the improvements soon.

The general consensus with Sprint is, is the lower speeds and/or coverage is acceptable for the cheaper price. For me, 95% of the time, Sprint gets it done, thus I've stuck around this long.
 
When 3G networks first came out, Sprint's network was good. Now that they've stopped bleeding customers and can hold onto some of them, hopefully they'll start the improvements soon.

The general consensus with Sprint is, is the lower speeds and/or coverage is acceptable for the cheaper price. For me, 95% of the time, Sprint gets it done, thus I've stuck around this long.

x2...thus, i am still with Sprint...and they have accomodate me on more than a few occasions with some freebies. :)
 
Link: iPhone 4S benchmarks: Twice as fast as the Galaxy S II, Droid Bionic | ExtremeTech

IP4S is super fast! Even the new Nexus Prime (aka Galaxy Nexus) can't beat it...well, that is because Google found a way to DOWNGRADE the Nexus phone's GPU, even when compared to its stablemate, Galaxy SII! :( See: Samsung Galaxy Nexus (Prime) revealed: Slower than iPhone 4S, Galaxy S II | ExtremeTech

I have played with both as I bought my daughter a 4S and my Galaxy SII blows it out of the water with speeds constantly in the 5-6mbs with 4G and we're almost completely covered with 4G here in the DFW area. The best I could get out of her 4S is 1mb and I would be half done watching a youtube video while hers was still loading.

When I turn my Epic Touch to 3G the 4S does load a little faster. As far as the 4G eating battery ,sure it does in 4G but the simple solution is turn 4G when your not using them. Common sense....not hard to do and that goes for any Android smart phone out there!

I took some time to get used to the Android Gingerbread OS as I've had iPhones for the last 3+ years since the 3G came out in 2008 but now after a week of learning it,I actually like it better.Especially because I don't have to use iTunes for it anymore.There was a time when I never thought I would have anything but an iPhone and loved them.Maybe when they get 4G and a bigger screen I'll go back. But I'm actually thinking a bigger screen would be even better. Samsung just released the "Note" in Europe with a 5.3 inch HD screen and soon to be here...... Samsung Galaxy Note announced: 5.3-inch display, built-in-stylus, custom 'S Pen' apps -- Engadget


The Sprint store said they would give me a $99 credit on the Galaxy, which is what I paid for it, towards a 4S when they got more in since if it was within my 14 day window. Ryan from the Sprint store called yesterday and said a shipment of 4S's will be in Friday........I passed.
After a week with the Galaxy SII ,not one single glitch and still lovin it.

Here's a little better real world comparison then some graph BS.Too bad they didn't do a comparison using the cell towers too instead of just wifi.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bphZoV8VrLc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Drop check......And the wonders of "Gorilla Glass" by Corning.Check out the youtube videos by Corning for Gorilla Glass.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/elKxgsrJFhw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
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Well, you can't compare 4G speed to 3G...4G will win every time, no matter how good the GPU is on the IP4S. The problem with 4G is that it eats battery when you do use it and it does not penetrate buildings well at all. So, 4G is best if you sit by a window or sit in a park and surf the net. I think that this is where LTE will be better...i hope.

With 2.3.7 (gingerbread), i like it so far on my wife's Nexus S 4G. It sure seems faster than Eclair on my Epic 10 months ago! Everything so far is smooth with my wife's Nexus. Camera on her phone is crap though.

You will miss Itunes whenever you have to download something big. You probably have Samsung Media Hub on your phone, right? Try and download a movie on it. You will need to dig deep to avoid throwing your phone against the wall! You better have a good Wifi connection!

Here is your dream: Galaxy Nexus running Ice Cream Sandwich? - YouTube

Galaxy Nexus (aka Nexus Prime). The problem with big screen (4.65 in this case) is that the phone is really LONG! Geez, it seems like you're back to 1980 with those brick cell phones!

I think that your phone is the max that i will every buy on a cellphone. 4.0-4.3 is "just right" for me. iPhone is kinda small...i agree.

Wait until an Android update comes around...Samsung + Sprint will drag their feet! I am really interested to see how fast your phone gets Ice Cream Sandwich. Samsung screwed me and other Epic owners 10 months ago...so, lets see how they do now. Google already said that Nexus S 4G will be 2nd in getting ICS after Nexus Prime.

As for glass, iPhone is using Gorilla glass both front and back from what i hear. Gorilla glass does not make the screens unbreakable, or even break resistant. It does make the screen very SCRATCH resistant. So yes, the iPhones do have Gorilla glass, and it does nothing for drop protection. As for the drop test, i think that the Iphone has too much glass...and isn't the glass the first thing that the ground touches on the iphone? There is no bezel around the glass on an iphone, is there? That is why it shatters more easily than GSII, even thou it has Gorilla glass.
 
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Other tests of IP4S: iPhone 4S CPU Clocked At 800MHz Is 73% Faster Than iPhone 4, Twice As Fast As Galaxy S II, And All Other Android Phones | Redmond Pie

BTW, my wife's Nexus S 4G does have FREE hotspot and tethering!! I tested it last night! Sprint did not de-activate it for this phone...so, what costs other Sprint phones $29.99 / month is free on Nexus phones! :) But, you pay for it in having crappy camera, no memory extension, yesterday's CPU/GPU, and non-gorilla glass (since glass is curved at the bottom). But, thank goodness for lack of bloatware, the Nexus seems fast enough.
 
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Especially because I don't have to use iTunes for it anymore.There was a time when I never thought I would have anything but an iPhone and loved them.

Primarily why I don't like any iOS device. (At the last company I was at, 90% of our NA workforce had corporate cell phones and 90% of them had iPhones over Blackberries. I supported the iOS users.) For greater majority of smart phone users, it's great, one stop shop, do everything in iTunes.

For techie people like me, not so hot. I can't get a file on to my phone or on to a computer (i.e. relative's, work laptop, etc.) without having to install iTunes on it. Sure, I can uninstall iTunes when I'm done, but that is more work. With Android, I can plug in, set it disk mode, done. No additional software needed if I want to transfer something.
 
Samsung is taking the automaker approach and making each phone bigger and bigger. The 4.5" screen on the SGS2 is HUGE already. I can't imagine holding that 5.3" phone with my shoulder. I guess Samsung expects me to have my BT headset handy. I don't actively use BT headsets unless I anticipate getting stuck on a long call.
 
Man, this is torturing me! My wife's Nexus S 4G is really good...much better than expected! I should have gotten this earlier this year instead of the Epic. What to do? I can buy a new Nexus S 4G on ebay for around $200 or slightly under. Then, i can use my upgrade next year on an Iphone 5 with LTE-capability i would hope.

Or should i get Iphone 4S now and be stuck with it for 2 years. My only fear is that this time next year, everyone will be running LTE with super fast speed, while i am still stuck with slow a$$ 3G speed...on Sprint to add to insult, which is turtle fast! :(

Let me tell you, i am really impress with Nexus S...it allows me to add ONLY my stuff and no one else's. The ONLY major issue is the crappy camera/video. And cool games on Android is sooooooo behind Apple that it is not even funny! I love "Street Fighter IV" on Apple...none on Android!

I never thought that the Nexus could make me so confused!! :cry2:

Advice??
 
Or should i get Iphone 4S now and be stuck with it for 2 years. My only fear is that this time next year, everyone will be running LTE with super fast speed, while i am still stuck with slow a$$ 3G speed...on Sprint to add to insult, which is turtle fast! :(

Advice??

Aren't you Premier Gold? If so, you can get the 4S now and the 5 next year. Or get the Nexus Prime, if it makes to Sprint and iPhone 5 next year.
 
Aren't you Premier Gold? If so, you can get the 4S now and the 5 next year. Or get the Nexus Prime, if it makes to Sprint and iPhone 5 next year.

That is not how it works...or at least, that is not what Sprint rep tells me. Once i upgrade this year, it will be another 22 months before i can do it again. I will ask again, but i don't think that i can upgrade next year if i do it this year.

EDIT: confirmed again with Sprint rep via telephone...if i upgrade now, then i can't do it again for 22 months. :(
 
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Didn't really see a mention of it but Sprint will be ending their unlimited "4G" data service, i.e WiMax. They have no more funding to maintain and build ther network. Will be interesting to see how it pans out.
 
For techie people like me, not so hot. I can't get a file on to my phone or on to a computer (i.e. relative's, work laptop, etc.) without having to install iTunes on it.

Sure you can. Install Box.net or Dropbox or iFiles on there. I transfer files all the time without using iTunes. :)

Now, this being said, I won't argue that iOS is tons more restrictive; as an IT professional and a Linux junkie, I tend to 'want' to go with Android. However, my day job pretty much requires not just a good smartphone, but one that is cohesive; and despite the shortcomings of iOS, Ice Cream Sandwich is JUST now getting Android to the point where it's as cohesive/'slick' as iOS has been.
 
Didn't really see a mention of it but Sprint will be ending their unlimited "4G" data service, i.e WiMax. They have no more funding to maintain and build ther network. Will be interesting to see how it pans out.

Uneek did already:

What you wrote is not exactly correct. Sprint is ending contract with Wimax/Clear, their current 4G technology. They are moving forward with LTE technology, like Verizon. Wimax/Clear 4G was just a way for Sprint to get 4G ahead of everyone, which they did. However, it is clear that LTE is the better 4G network and thus, Sprint is switching over to LTE by next year.

But, as you said, funding is apparently very tight for Sprint. Wimax 4G is ending not because of lack of funding, but a switch by Sprint to go another route for the future 4G network.

Hey as long as Sprint remains cheap and unlimited, i don't care if they lag behind Verizon (and possibly ATT) in 4G a little bit. Some thinks that if ATT buys TMo, then Verizon will buy out Sprint...don't know?

Sure you can. Install Box.net or Dropbox or iFiles on there. I transfer files all the time without using iTunes. :)

Now, this being said, I won't argue that iOS is tons more restrictive; as an IT professional and a Linux junkie, I tend to 'want' to go with Android. However, my day job pretty much requires not just a good smartphone, but one that is cohesive; and despite the shortcomings of iOS, Ice Cream Sandwich is JUST now getting Android to the point where it's as cohesive/'slick' as iOS has been.

x2.

In addition, with IOS5, you can do everything without hooking it up with Itunes...via iCloud.
 
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Yup. I managed to update mine to iOS5 about 2 weeks prior to the 'official' update; and it's safe to say that the update has fixed probably 95% of my major gripes with iOS.
 
IP4s camera vs. the best: How does the iPhone 4S camera stack-up against other cameras?

I have the Canon S95...it is one of the best (if not the best) point-&-shoot cameras around. It shoots very well. As you can see from the link above, IP4S camera is damn good...possibly surpassing the S95!! Some comments mentioned that the S95 was not properly adjusted etc.. Still, at worst, IP4S camera is very close to the best P&S camera out there today. I think that P&S (the good ones) are better inside with low lighting, but outside, i think that the IP4S camera does very well.

Wow...this is why some have said that IP4S camera has made P&S cameras obsolete...i am starting to believe them!:trophy:

So, for me, if i were to go to a party or wedding, then i will take S95...but for daily stuff, IP4S is plenty good for my amateur skills.
 
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