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Basically, I bought a Thunderbolt back in March when it launched. That is to say, my mom did as a late birthday gift, and she bought the buyback program with it. So, if I trade in my TB now, I'll get $350 back that I can put towards a Droid 3, which drops it down to lower than the Verizon off contract price.
(if it wasn't clear, I want to get one off contract, but money is fairly tight and saving that extra 100 or so dollars is a make or break thing)
My problem is, both Best Buys in my area don't seem to have the Droid 3 in stock. I heard rumors they were supposed to get them in today, but the site is pretty bad at confirming or debunking that. Has anybody been able to find one in retail?
I work at best buy mobile and no store in all of California will get the Droid 3 it will only be sold online. Can't speak for other states.
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Kohnent2 said:
I work at best buy mobile and no store in all of California will get the Droid 3 it will only be sold online. Can't speak for other states.
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No New Hampshire store is currently planning on getting it either. We went in the other day to check and we were told that, so we had to go to a Verizon store instead.
I was told at a local Best Buy that the particular store I was in wasn't going to have them in stock. However, they said they could order it in if I wanted one through them.
So that's what I'm planning on doing... every time I go in a Verizon store, someone lies to me after a 45 minute wait to talk to someone, so it works out well for me....
Aren't the off contract prices higher in the third party vendors that from Verizon for the D3?
Immolate said:
Aren't the off contract prices higher in the third party vendors that from Verizon for the D3?
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Yes, but my mom bought the Buyback program for the Thunderbolt, so $350 back in the form of a gift card brings it down to less than it would cost off contract from Verizon, full price.
If I get the money from the TB, that brings it down to ~$300, whereas from Big Red, I'd still have to pay $460.
But, working under the assumption that no Best Buy will be getting them in, can I still trade in my TB in store, go back to my Droid 2 temporarily and get a Droid 3 online using the $350 gift card I'd get for the TB?
Arachnidus said:
Yes, but my mom bought the Buyback program for the Thunderbolt, so $350 back in the form of a gift card brings it down to less than it would cost off contract from Verizon, full price.
If I get the money from the TB, that brings it down to ~$300, whereas from Big Red, I'd still have to pay $460.
But, working under the assumption that no Best Buy will be getting them in, can I still trade in my TB in store, go back to my Droid 2 temporarily and get a Droid 3 online using the $350 gift card I'd get for the TB?
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You could always just try to get someone to buy that credit off you (like a family member who was planning on a big purchase from Best Buy) and you can get yours at Verizon and have it even cheaper!
pekosROB said:
You could always just try to get someone to buy that credit off you (like a family member who was planning on a big purchase from Best Buy) and you can get yours at Verizon and have it even cheaper!
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A cunning idea, but I'm not exactly sure it'd work...not many people I know would be seeking such a thing.
Yeah odd, no D3 at the Best Buy here in Syracuse NY.
I am a Best Buy Mobile employee and can tell you that no Best Buy stores will carry the Droid 3; this is on the decision of Best Buy Mobile, due to the issues with the Droid X, the Droid 2, and the Droid X2; they will only be availabe through Best Buy via the Best Buy website; our store (in Illinois) doesn't even have a demo model (live or dummy).
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How could the worst droid ever made become the Best Buy? I got my Best Sell when I found someone to buy this crap.
Nice job reviving a thread thats over a year old.
After a falling out with AT&T, I think I'm switching to Verizon. I'm currently using the Motorola Atrix, loving it so far. Bionic seems like the brother to it in Verizon. Now, this will probably take place in the next few weeks. If I switch, should I get the Droid Bionic or wait for a newer phone? I'll be paying off contract for the phone. Hoping to hear some input from users (as well as people who know the real definition of 4G, novel concept).
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I'd go with the bionic, there will always be a better phone released a couple months after you buy, no matter what it is. Don't wait around to jump into the latest and greatest, because you'll always be waiting.
The bionic is a solid device, and most are very satisfied. I know I am. Wirefly is selling it for $150 with new contract right now, and you may even find better elsewhere.
Yes. Do it.
Yeah, I'm Homeless.
cbal04 said:
I'd go with the bionic, there will always be a better phone released a couple months after you buy, no matter what it is. Don't wait around to jump into the latest and greatest, because you'll always be waiting.
The bionic is a solid device, and most are very satisfied. I know I am. Wirefly is selling it for $150 with new contract right now, and you may even find better elsewhere.
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Yup. I completely agree.
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk
Ok, despite the fact that I bought a Bionic just yesterday, and did not wait, I think I would wait those couple of weeks to see what's up with Verizon's new handsets (Prime, Vigor, etc.), and perhaps to wait out the expected OTA update to the Bionic that people say is coming in November.
If you can't wait, the Bionic is a nice phone.
I would recommend waiting for the Prime or considering something that has an unlocked bootloader.
Underwater Mike said:
I would recommend waiting for the Prime or considering something that has an unlocked bootloader.
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Is there any word of verizon getting any phone with an unlocked boot loader? I know that some, like the thunderbolt, can be unlocked via hacks, etc... but will there be one that will come with the ability to unlock it right out of the box? If there is, I may also hold off on the bionic.
cbal04 said:
I'd go with the bionic, there will always be a better phone released a couple months after you buy, no matter what it is. Don't wait around to jump into the latest and greatest, because you'll always be waiting.
The bionic is a solid device, and most are very satisfied. I know I am. Wirefly is selling it for $150 with new contract right now, and you may even find better elsewhere.
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Unfortunately I will be footing the entire phone cost, so subsidized phones aren't a luxury for me.
Underwater Mike said:
I would recommend waiting for the Prime or considering something that has an unlocked bootloader.
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Do you think the Prime will have better specs than the Bionic?
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nosit1 said:
Do you think the Prime will have better specs than the Bionic?
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The latest rumor is a 1.2 GHz dual core processor, with 32 GB of external storage, 4.65" display (though ice cream sandwich has no menu/home/back/search buttons, so the size of the phone may be about the same), slightly thinner (1 mm I think), about the same battery.
This is a rumor, of course.
http://www.bgr.com/2011/10/06/samsung-galaxy-nexus-full-specs-revealed-verizon-wireless-exclusive/
As far as I know, since they are development phones, all of the Nexus phones have had unlockable bootloaders, though there is no guarantee of that, either.
We should find out next Tuesday at CTIA.
I would def go with the Bionic. I first upgraded to the Samsung Charge, But then quickly returned it once the Bionic released. It was a great decision. The week that i owned the Charge i was running into all kinds of small Glitches and bugs, nothing real major but enough to get on my nerves. The only thing that the Charge had over the Bionic was the Picture quality....
So far i have yet to experience the amount of glitches with my Bionic.
Wait a month and get the Nexus Prime. I know my Bionic is going out the window for that bad boy.
--
Sent from my Droid Bionic.
If your just buying the phone outright, I'd wait a couple weeks until the Prime comes out and pickup a Bionic on the cheap from someone who's switching. I have a feeling the used market is going to get flooded with them.
nosit1 said:
After a falling out with AT&T, I think I'm switching to Verizon. I'm currently using the Motorola Atrix, loving it so far. Bionic seems like the brother to it in Verizon. Now, this will probably take place in the next few weeks. If I switch, should I get the Droid Bionic or wait for a newer phone? I'll be paying off contract for the phone. Hoping to hear some input from users (as well as people who know the real definition of 4G, novel concept).
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App
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If you can wait until the end of the month, strongly rumored Samsung Nexus-type phone is "due out" near the end of tthe month, better screen, faster processor, and Android 4.0 (and a Google Experience phone so no crapware.)
If you can't wait three weeks, get a Bionic in your hands to look at the screen; although if you already have one Motor qHd screen & if doesn't bother you, the Bionic appears to have the best Motorola pentile qHd display so far.
I'm happy w/ myBionic so far,but wouldn't mind 50% faster CPU and a 720p screen
nosit1 said:
Do you think the Prime will have better specs than the Bionic?
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According to this, it will be a pretty sweet phone.
What is there, a 30 day return on phones. Think if I picked it up on contract (found a loophole), would that buy me time to a Nexus Prime?
nosit1 said:
What is there, a 30 day return on phones. Think if I picked it up on contract (found a loophole), would that buy me time to a Nexus Prime?
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I think it's only 14 days.
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That it would appear so...
Hmm. I guess I can always fork my paychecks over for the Prime when it's released.
I would wait for the Prime. Coming from a Charge the Bionic is inferior in every way other then speed. The Bionic is not a bad phone but the Prime will be a lot better.
nosit1 said:
What is there, a 30 day return on phones. Think if I picked it up on contract (found a loophole), would that buy me time to a Nexus Prime?
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lrs421 said:
I think it's only 14 days.
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It's 14 days, plus a $35 restocking fee.
14 days for Verizon. If, like me, you order from Amazon, you have a 30-day window but then you can't reorder another phone from them for 60 days (to keep people from scamming rebates). meanwhile, unless you keep your Verizon contract active during that period, you'll be hit with an early term fee of several hundred bucks.
Personally, I'd rather buy phones unlocked and pay the higher price with the benefit of not being locked into a contract. But, none of the large carriers does it that way in the U.S.
I bought my Bionic on November 1, 2011.
Today, I received an email today from Verizon with the subject "Congratulations - You've earned a new phone!"
I thought that you were supposed to wait 2 years until you were eligible to receive an upgrade at the discounted price.
Well what do you guys think I should do? What would you do?
Wait for ICS on Bionic or get a new phone, and if a new phone, which phone should I get?
Do you have a grandfathered unlimited data plan?
If you don't have a grandfathered unlimited plan then either go for it or wait for something better to come out. If you do have a grandfathered unlimited plan then don't bite.
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I am not grandfathered. I have 4GB for $30/month.
I just thought it was weird they offered the upgrade.
I thought maybe all Bionic users would be offered it, but I guess not.
The email was sent on the last day of the cycle, so maybe more people will get their email on the last day as well.
I might wait for ICS and more custom ICS roms because I already have desk dock, car dock, and extended battery.
Be careful too.. make sure its actually from Verizon... alot of viruses going round looking like that to steal ur stuff..
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I can attest to this early upgrade. Some times the main line on a family plan will get an early upgrade
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I'd wait until Verizon has an HTC One.
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If you were on unlimited I'd say bite and get a Razr Maxx.
Since you are on a tiered plan, just wait until you see a phone you like.
Yeah, I'd say wait since you're already on a tiered plan. Who knows what phones will be released later this year!
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using XDA
Hold out for an HTC One X or Samsung Galaxy S III
Dude! All the phones that were out six months ago are still the best you can get right now, they really haven't "moved" as far as what's available in quite a few months (which means you should expect something better any day now).
I know because I have a "new every two" available on my primary account and I'm going to wait until they get the SGS3.
Personally, from experience I know that HTC One "X" model will be a beast if you'd rather not wait for Sammy to show up on Verizon.
They have a habit of introducing nice phones right before they make the real monsters available. Expect that to happen again, as in maybe the HTC One X (and maybe other variants of the HTC One) first, then they'll introduce the Galaxy S3 after everyone they can suck the juice out of gets the HTC models.
It happened to all of us that opted for the Bionic: two months later they (Motorola & Verizon *****es) pushed out the Razor and Maxx not too long after that.
Just saw it today radioshack.com has the Bionic for $9.99 online price no rebates needed.
That's a steal. Just goes to show how underrated the Bionic is.
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Hell of a deal but most people are too hung up on the locked bootloader and the hype of whatever the latest gadget of the month is to even give it a glance.
You'd have to be crazy to lock in a two year deal on a Bionic right now. Don't get me wrong, I love the phone, but there are many better options.
brandogg said:
You'd have to be crazy to lock in a two year deal on a Bionic right now. Don't get me wrong, I love the phone, but there are many better options.
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Not for ten bucks there aren't. The real down side is being forced into the share plan garbage however.
I switched from my Atrix 2 to the Bionic. And while its a older phone this thing runs a lot better then my Atrix 2. I am running the .232 ICS leak on it. I had bought my Bionic last week at best buy for the 99.99 price and went yesterday and they price matched me. We were going to switch out my wifes Incredible 2 for it but best buy was out of stock on the Bionic, so they priced matched her the 10 bucks on the Incredible 4g LTE phone.
Atrix 2 and Bionic are the same phone, essentially.
crombiecrunch said:
I switched from my Atrix 2 to the Bionic. And while its a older phone this thing runs a lot better then my Atrix 2. I am running the .232 ICS leak on it. I had bought my Bionic last week at best buy for the 99.99 price and went yesterday and they price matched me. We were going to switch out my wifes Incredible 2 for it but best buy was out of stock on the Bionic, so they priced matched her the 10 bucks on the Incredible 4g LTE phone.
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That Incredible 4G is a great little phone, I bet the wife loves it. Just got my fiance the Bionic, for 160 in excellent shape. Now just to get ICS on it...
I got my bionic for free at bestbuy it was the 16GB one the 32 was 149.99 but then I also got a 50 dollar gift card funny thing was they didn't even have the 16GB listed
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16GB is basically the phone with no external micro SDCard.
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Did anyone else come across this today and feel at all "not forgotten" by Moto for once?'
http://www.mobileburn.com/20436/new...es-soon-100-credit-for-non-upgradeable-phones
What about non US people who have a droid 3... ?
Also: can't get updated?? If hash can get 512mb ducati/kernel stuff for D3 you're not telling me motorola can't.
That may not be a bad thing.
not forgotten? how about forgotten and abused. (unless of course you spend good money with us again to replace a phone you shouldnt have to)
so you release a phone. in less than 6 months you release its successor. then you fail to provide any support or updates. you leave it off the ics upgrade path.
then you come out with another phone less than a year later, and offer $100 off? screw you moto.
sorry we completely screwed you on your prior purchase, but please buy another of our phones. it has what yours should have. no thanks.
the only way moto would get a positive point in my book is if they kept the promise to unlock the D3 bootloader, which we all know will never ever happen.
redsox985 said:
Did anyone else come across this today and feel at all "not forgotten" by Moto for once?'
http://www.mobileburn.com/20436/new...es-soon-100-credit-for-non-upgradeable-phones
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I wonder how the 100 dollar credit will work. I know it will only work on Moto phones.
If it's for an upgrade at a Verizon store, it's worthless. I would lose my unlimited contract.
If it's for an upgrade at wholesale, it's a better than nothing, but I wouldn't likely go for it (unless they have an unlocked kickass phone coming out in the next 3 months).
If it's a 100 dollar upgrade from any store, including a used one on E-bay, I would actually consider it.
Until then, 250 for a used Galaxy Nexus, is very tempting.
DoubleYouPee said:
What about non US people who have a droid 3... ?
Also: can't get updated?? If hash can get 512mb ducati/kernel stuff for D3 you're not telling me motorola can't.
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Well Motorola/Verizon have to add all of the bloatware on top so it would probably not run the smoothest. Stock GB with all of its bloatware struggles with RAM. I have Android ICS x86 with Gapps in Virtualbox and set the RAM to the total amount that the Droid 3 reports ~375MB. ICS has quite a bit more free RAM than my stock GB which has all bloatware frozen.
As far as the $100 upgrade offer, the Droid 3 is still going for over $100 on ebay used but that may change by next year. The Razr M does look pretty nice, I can't stand the big screen phones that are coming out and the Razr M manages to pack a 4.3" screen with smaller dimensions than the Droid 3. If they come out with a keyboard version it would be tempting.
vbhokiefan said:
not forgotten? how about forgotten and abused. (unless of course you spend good money with us again to replace a phone you shouldnt have to)
so you release a phone. in less than 6 months you release its successor. then you fail to provide any support or updates. you leave it off the ics upgrade path.
then you come out with another phone less than a year later, and offer $100 off? screw you moto.
sorry we completely screwed you on your prior purchase, but please buy another of our phones. it has what yours should have. no thanks.
the only way moto would get a positive point in my book is if they kept the promise to unlock the D3 bootloader, which we all know will never ever happen.
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$100 off is completely worthless. If I want to upgrade now in the middle of a contract cycle Verizon lists a Droid 4 for $549 so even at $100 off its still $449 and I'm way better off just waiting another year for my next contract renewal. The only way it helps me is if I can file away that discount to be used in September of 2013.
We were never in the pipeline for ICS let alone Jellybean. This is the "carrot before the horse" trick. Not even well played, Moto is dead in the water. Nexus is the future of Android. Still love my brick though.
I feel like Moto realized that they just might be able to squeeze a little bit more money out of us. Sort of a "who else is there to exploit?" kind of thing. Not sure I like it better.