Verizon Palm Pre + AT&T Palm Pre Coming 2010

Man, tough decision! I want the Pre and I do like Sprint's pricing but I'm a little worried because of Sprint's bad reputation. Also, I used to have Verizon and I loved their outstanding service (now on at&t). You're right, Andrew. The key is the phone itself and I'm champing at the bit for your review. I saw BGR's part 1 review; they didn't like the keyboard. Since the keyboard is a big factor in me wanting the Pre, I can't wait to hear what you think about it. They also didn't mention the call quality - another big factor for me. Have a good one.

How does Sprint have a bad reputation? I've been with them for almost 10 years. Their customer service is great. Their website is easy to use. Their plans are cheaper than everyone else. I've been a treo 755p user for 2 years now and nothing will stop me from getting a pre with sprint.

I sure do hope AT&T starts selling it next year. I didn't think they would because it might make Apple mad. And the IPhone contract is the biggest thing AT&T's got right now.

I've actually bought a Treo 680 from EBay this year (because my 650 was pretty much worthless) in hopes of eeking out some time to buy a Pre at a contract price instead of full at a later time. That's assuming of course that Palm keeps its promise regarding third party availability of desktop sync and legacy app compatibility.

Rick,
I'm sure you've had nothing but good experiences with Sprint, but overall they are ranked at the bottomw nationwide. I had always heard that, but your post prompted me to google up verification....the first four surveys I viewed shows Verizon and T-Mobile at the top. Here is a link that takes you to synopses of several surveys( JD Powers, Consumer Reports, etc)http://www.consumersearch.com/cell-phone-plans/reviews

@Rick I don't have the hard facts but I thought it was common knowledge that at&t and Verizon have the most subscribers, that Sprint has been leaking subscriptions, Sprint has had financial issues, Sprint has customer service issues, Sprint is gambling with the Pre to keep afloat, and other tidbits. I know the subscriptions argument isn't the best argument but at the least it says Sprint isn't doing enough to keep its current customers happy or enough to attract new ones. Bryce did the dirty work and found actual survey responses to back the point.

However, the fact that I can get a 1st hand opinion like yours makes me feel more comfortable going with Sprint. Thanks!

I don't have a preferred carrier but when it comes to Sprint I have to say that I believe that they are not only extremely aware of their past failings but are also in my opinion working the hardest to rectify these.

Additionally, I have to say that I have been very impressed with Sprint's new marketing campaign and brand repositioning (hopefully a sign of things to come). I consider Sprint's new marketing campaign - particularly surrounding the Palm Pre - to be absolutely superb. They are the only carrier today that is clearly demonstrating Web 2.0 and "Digital Lifestyle" savviness and this is exactly the sort of modern and innovative partner that the Palm Pre needs.

I very much hope that Sprint will garner the same sort of following as AT&T did with the iPhone - personally I think that Sprint very much deserves it.

Cheers, A.

I'm a long time Sprint user, and it is my carrier of personal choice. I've had Verizon personally, and after months of repeatedly having to deal with billing issues, and then a bait-and-switch tactic involving messaging which wasn't part of my plan, I paid the ETF and signed up with Sprint, and haven't looked back. Sprint has been rock solid for me, and I've had only one customer service person treat me poorly, which resulted in a Sprint manager personally calling me and giving me a free upgrade to a very expensive phone (their most expensive at the time).

I too hope the Pre is all its reported to be for Sprint and for Palm. I can't wait until my renewal time.

Verizon needs this phone the most. I don't care how good their call quality is, how great their customer srvice is, what their pricing plans are...the fact is they do not have a single good freaking phone to use it on. They have THE WORST phone selection IMO. I mean seriously..look at me with my LG "Chocolate" or incite" JOKE!!!!

Other than the iPhone, Sprint seems to get ALL the newest smartphones (no small feat being a CDMA carrier these days in a world of GSM). Curves, Pearls, Centros, 755p, Treo Pro, soon to be Pre, HTC Touch Diamond and Pro...

All Verizon has is the Storm..and it is highly unimpressive IMO.

And for what its worth, AT&T still has the only network you can do voice and data on simultaneously...whihc I enjoy and make use of quite frequently on my Pro

I've been with Sprint since the days of the Treo600 - I still remember waiting in line to be the first to own such a great phone (in my opinion, the Treo600 was the first truly integrated smartphone).

Anyway, I give Sprint an A+ for customer service and value. We accidentally went over our Bill by $240 on one cycle and they credited it all back to us.

Also, I've had their equipment replacment program for 3/month and they gave me a new phone in the store with no problems...

I am getting afraid that an European introduction will take a long time. As they don't really have to hurry with the GSM version, as AT&T can only start selling it in january. Bugger.

I switched from Verizon to AT&T years ago because Verizon didn't have the phone I wanted. I've hated the service ever since. I was planning to switch to Sprint for the Palm Pre, but have been turned off by not being able to use web while talking on phone. I was actually floored by that. I mean, a big part of the Pre is its integration with the web. So I'm sad to say that thinking of staying with AT&T and playing the waiting game. Sigh.

@Pamela @Mike I'm a little confused, I didn't know you can't do data and voice at the same time on other carriers besides at&t. Maybe it's a silly question, but the phone still rings when you're using data, right? Does that mean things like push e-mail won't work while I'm on the phone? Not a deal breaker but good to know.

I am afraid this means we in Europe will have to wait also till January. Why hurry GSM if Palm's largest market is the US, and not the EU? Bugger.

I have been a Treo user for years, until a couple months ago when I switched to the Storm. Verizon is my preferred carrier and pretty much a must on work phones. I couldn't be happier with the Storm. I had the 700p and it was great, but so glad I upgraded. Internet is much faster, still have a touchscreen, and email is much better overall to deal with. I've seen lots of positive and negative reports on the Storm, but I find that it works great.

I'll wait and see how the Pre does, or rather "when" the Pre hits Verizon. I'll wait and see the results.

Data and voice at the same time....seems to work on Verizon's network. I often get emails while browsing the web on the Storm.

"A day later, Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam also stated during a conference webcast that over the next six months you will see devices like Palm Pre on his network." Is it me or does the phrase "like the Palm Pre" somewhat suggest that he may not be speaking of the Pre specifically, but possibly a phone "like" or similar to the Pre. Couldn't there be an updated version of the Pre in 12 months?

@Ron.... if you are surfing the web on a Verizon or any other carrier's phone, the data session gets put on hold and you get to answer the phone (but you CANNOT continue to surf the web or google maps or do whatever you were doing data wise.) The data session begins again once you hang up the phone..

With AT&T I can look up directions, phone numbers, web pages, send emails all while talkin gto a person in their HSDPA coverage area, whihc just about all of NJ is

@Car Nut..browsing the web and getting emails is ALL data.... Try talking to someone and then fire up the web browser or send an email all while talking...

In theory the latest rev A or whatever it is of EVDO could do what AT&T does I read somewhere..but they need to make their phones (or their Network) capable of doing so....which no one has to this point I believe...though it was rumored the Treo Pro on Sprint might be allowed to...but to this day AT&T (and I suppose T Mobile if you have a Google Android phone that utilizes their flavor of 3G) is th eonly Network(s) that can do simultaneous voice and data

Cannot wait to upgrade my 750P.
However..you mention about saving on what Sprint calls their everything plan...It is not everything. I got a call from sprint to sell me that plan. They kept telling me that it is everything...It does not include "phone as Modem" If i would have switched (almost did ) it would have cost me a lot more. My plan includes "phone as Modem" Be Careful...make sure you have a complete list because once you make a switch and you already had a better plan from an earlier date...you will not be able to go back...good luck....I am glad other companies are also interested in getting the Pre....it makes it easier for all of us to compare the competition

The palm pre is introduced on Sprint's 4G Now Network. Being as though I have had Sprint for years and have gotten "my way" in every disagreement concerning my billing, upgrading or everything- there are no complaints here! Don't believe rumors unless you've been through it! I switch from AT&T which was the best decision in my life because of their poor service and dropped calls. At one point in time, my phone was ochoing and then dropped my call- consistantly for a month until I finally switched. Regardless if other carriers get the Pre or something similar to it, it shouldnt be new to us considering that people tried to compare the iPhone to the Samsung Instinct and so on so forth.. which was merely a waste of time. on my way to pick mine up :)

The palm pre is introduced on Sprint's 4G Now Network. Being as though I have had Sprint for years and have gotten "my way" in every disagreement concerning my billing, upgrading or everything- there are no complaints here! Don't believe rumors unless you've been through it! I switch from AT&T which was the best decision in my life because of their poor service and dropped calls. At one point in time, my phone was ochoing and then dropped my call- consistantly for a month until I finally switched. Regardless if other carriers get the Pre or something similar to it, it shouldnt be new to us considering that people tried to compare the iPhone to the Samsung Instinct and so on so forth.. which was merely a waste of time. on my way to pick mine up :)

The palm pre is introduced on Sprint's 4G Now Network. Being as though I have had Sprint for years and have gotten "my way" in every disagreement concerning my billing, upgrading or everything- there are no complaints here! Don't believe rumors unless you've been through it! I switch from AT&T which was the best decision in my life because of their poor service and dropped calls. At one point in time, my phone was ochoing and then dropped my call- consistantly for a month until I finally switched. Regardless if other carriers get the Pre or something similar to it, it shouldnt be new to us considering that people tried to compare the iPhone to the Samsung Instinct and so on so forth.. which was merely a waste of time. on my way to pick mine up :)

I've had my Pre for 2.5 weeks. No problems whatsoever. This phone is great. The only complaint I have is regarding the App Catalog. Not nearly enough apps available for download (currently holding steady at 30 apps). The phone itself is amazing. I switched from Verizon because as Mike said... they have the WORST selection of phones! Before I left, I tried the Storm. I couldn't return it fast enough. What a pile of crap! Very unintuitive and slow. I have had 0 second thoughts about the Pre. I must admit, Sprint has concerned me (only because of what I've heard), but the phone is absolutely incredible.

I was thinking of leaving Verizon (the evil empire ;-)) for Sprint to get the Palm Pre. What happens when 2010 rolls around and Sprint no longer has the Pre? I am sick and tired of Verizon's crap...paying way too much for crappy phones. Not 100% sure if I should switch? I would love some pros/cons. Thanks ;-)

Sprint will not LOSE the Pre in 2010, they just won't be the exclusive source in the USA for the Pre once 2010 is here.

I will be honest, I am on AT&T and there have been times where I would almost prefer to go Verizon, but I just can't bring myself to do it. I hate Verizon with a passion, so will never support them.

There are several things that going AT&T would give, including being able to use your device with another carrier once it has been unlocked. GSM is good that way. AT&T would also probably allow the use of the Pre as a "modem", which Sprint does not allow for some odd reason.

I've been a Treo user since the 240 days (am on a 750w now) and I am extremely anxious to get a Pre in 2010. The reason I can't switch to Sprint has nothing to do with cost or reputation --- Sprint phones absolutely do not work when outside the US. I travel to Europe and Asia a great deal for business and I've got to have a phone that works.

I absolutely cannot wait for this device to come to Verizon!
I am limping along until then.
Had HORRIBLE experiences with Sprint (customer service and reception stinks where I travel most)years ago and vowed never to return to them.
Come on, VZW!