Android and iPhone price plan comparison

We all know the cost of a phone is more than just the price of the device. There are also monthly costs to deal with, whether you're going for the cheapest plan possible or for the expensive all-in-one bundle. This is especially a concern when it comes to smartphones, as data and messaging costs can add up to quite a hefty monthly bill.

In light of recent Android smartphone releases, we decided it might be good to compare the voice, messaging, and data plans of some of these phones across all four nationwide carriers to see which is the cheapest and which is the most expensive. Since AT&T does not yet have an Android phone, we used the Apple iPhone 3GS for comparison. We assumed that customers would be buying these phones with a new contract, so to keep things fair, we did not include T-Mobile's no-contract price plan in the chart (see note below). For Verizon, we did not compare the Connect or Premium plans because they aren't available for the Droid.

We also did not include the pricing for corporate and family plans. For example, Verizon's corporate data plans will cost $45 a month instead of $30 a month (despite claims to the contrary), which is the same for AT&T's iPhone.

We calculated the cheapest plans by adding up the cheapest of all the voice, messaging, and data options (we assumed that most smartphone users will want at least a basic messaging plan rather than no messaging plan at all). Conversely, we calculated the most expensive plans by adding up the most expensive of all three options. Typically, the costliest plans include unlimited voice, messaging, and data. We also know a lot of smartphone users don't use a lot of talk minutes, but are ardent users of text and data, so we also added up monthly plans with the lowest minutes but with unlimited text and data usage.

	Motorola Cliq	Motorola Droid	Samsung Moment	Apple iPhone 3GS, 16GB
Network	T-Mobile	Verizon	Sprint	AT&T
Device cost with new contract	$199.99	$199.00	$179.99	$199.00
Cheapest voice plan	$39.99 for 500 minutes	$39.99 for 450 minutes	$69.99 for 450 minutes**	$39.99 for 450 minutes (with rollover)
Unlimited voice plan	$59.99	$99.99	$99.99**	$99.99
Unlimited data plan	$30 or $40*	$29.99	N/A	$30
Cheapest add-on messaging bundle	$4.99 for 300 messages	$5 for 250 messages	N/A	$5 for 200 messages
Most expensive add-on messaging bundle	N/A	$20 for 5000 messages	N/A	$20 for unlimited
Cheapest monthly plan	$74.98	$74.99	$69.99	$74.99
Most expensive monthly plan	$99.99	$149.99	$99.99	$149.99
Cheapest voice with unlimited data and text plan	$79.99	$89.98	$69.99	$89.99

*$40/mth includes unlimited messages **includes unlimited messages and data

Note: If you were to buy the Motorola Cliq for $399.99 (which is the no-contract price), the cheapest monthly plan for it would be $59.99 for 500 talk minutes and $79.99 for unlimited everything.

[gbilton]

my blackberry comes out to about $65/ month but that is after a 20% discount from my employer so it is not that bad of a deal

[Fil0403]

Plus you have a better smartphone IMO.

[frozenjello]

Almost all of my iPhone use is web surfing and I rarely talk on it, so my dream plan would be combining AT&T's $30 unlimited data plan with their $100/year Pay As You Go voice plan (that's $8.33/month!). Unfortunately, almighty AT&T prohibits iPhones on Pay As You Go plans.

[zmnatz]

Well, there's always the option of jailbreaking and going over to T-Mobile where you can get 1000 minutes for $100, pay as you go. That's what I'm planning on doing when my contract runs out.

[yurma]

except you can't access t-mobile's 3g.

[raviatm--2008]

you can use the iphone 2g on pay as you go, but again, no 3g

[Funkatronic]

Actually, the Droid plan you listed is incorrect. The cheapest plan with unlimited data and texting weould be 89.99. A Verizon Select plan(which includes texting) with 450 minutes is 59.99 + Data, which is 30, would equal 89.99

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/splash/plansingleline.jsp?lid=//global//plans//voice+plans//individual

[Nicole Lee]

Yeah, you're right. I just noticed the different Basic and Select plans. Strangely, when I pick a smartphone for a phone, the Connect and Premium plans disappear.

[ywkhgqo]

that's not right though. Verizon's IN messaging for 10 bucks will text anyone on verizon's network for free plus 500 extra. Doing this, you could get a plan for $80. I don't know why you feel you HAVE to get a select plan?

[sicwill]

Nicole that's because Smartphones aren't compatible with the connect and premium plans. Those include unlimited data access for non Smartphones like an Env Touch or a Rogue. Smartphones require the separate data feature that can be combined with the select or basic plans, or to be placed on a Verizon Email bundle plan which includes exchange access at a discount of $5 or $15 depending on how many minutes you select. Also, the $20 text plan is not 5000 messages, it is actually unlimited on a single line as a basic plan with the $20 text option is the same price as a select plan. Those $20 bundles are only designed for family share plans where only one line is going to text message a lot. Also, you should clarify that when you are saying the cheapest calling plan for Verizon and ATT is $74.99, that you are including the $5 text message bundle in that calculation. People who don't want a text bundle and only want voice and data can actually get plans for $69.98

[bdougwrx]

The cheapest monthly plan for the Droid should be $74.99 (39.99 + 30 + 5). And the most expensive should be $149 (99.99 + 30 + 20).

Unless I'm missing something.

[Nicole Lee]

Totally. I must've added something extra in there initially.

[VegasSmitty]

Someone needs to update T-mobiles pricing plan in this comparison. Prices changed recently.

[Nicole Lee]

Could you tell me where it's different? I went through the purchase process of the Cliq, which is where I got the prices. I did find out the $4.99 for 300 messages information through a T-Mobile spokesperson. Thanks!

[Raymond Lui]

@Nicole

T-mobile now push two big plans,
1) Even More
2) Even More Plus

Even More is the contract plan with cheaper phones but more expensive plans
Even More Plus is a cheaper, no contract, month to month plan, but you pay full price for phones.

Actually in the case in a Cliq, one should go with the Even More Plus plan.

Here is the Math: the Unlimited Text + Voice + Data Even More Plus plan is $80/month
The full price for Cliq is $400
In two years, the total you have to pay is $2320 (+ Tax and fees), and no contract for you

If you go with the Even More, although the phone cheaper at $200,
the Unlimited Text + Voice + Data Even More plan is $100/month
n two years, the total you have to pay is $2600, and you have a contract

So please update the numbers in table.

[crescentdave]

Somebody named Nicole Lee needs to learn how to do simple addition, buy a calculator and learn how to use it or ask a high school student to crunch the numbers.

[Nicole Lee]

Funnily, I did use a calculator, and even an Excel sheet! I blame the lack of caffeine. Or maybe this is an excuse to get an intern.

[cirruscurse]

Excuse you. There is no reason to be so rude.
***.

[tw1975]

Somebody named "crescentdave" needs to learn how to conduct himself in a public forum, meet a woman and learn how they're supposed to be treated or ask a toddler how to say "ma'am".

[jlt0x]

Interestingly, NicoleLee did an excellent job of comparing the data, voice, and text plans from the major national carriers. Initially, what her comparison shows us (before all of the corrections), is that carriers make constant minor price changes or we (the consumer) simply miss some of the details in shopping around. Whatever-the-case, it's very complicated and can add up to really expensive 2-year agreements that many unsuspecting consumers sign up for daily. And with so many different ways to combine services, it's easy to simply miss that "deal" which could fit your usage requirements perfectly.

Thank God, she didn't compare the Family/Share plans. They make the process of finding the right combination of service a complete nightmare....most of which I'd like to forget.

If you work for a govt organization, you may qualify for a 15-20% discount on your monthly bill. That may tip some people towards the unlimited plans b/c of the discounts. In any case, choosing the right mobile device is usually the underlining factor of

[jlt0x]

Ooop. Submitted before finishing my thought.

.....picking the right mobile device is the major factor in the contract. Consumers are usually willing to pay a little extra or accept lower plan limits if they are truly happy with the phone or smartphone they have.

[Nicole Lee]

Sorry folks, will fix the errors. Thanks!

[Kev50027]

Thanks Nicole, we appreciate it! Now only to wonder why AT&T and Verizon are so insanely expensive.

[rnaoncfixd]

With Verizon, you're obviously paying for quality and coverage. Yeah, there's a map for that.

[zmnatz]

With AT&T, you're paying for ease of use and minimal consumer confusion. There'd be an app for that, but apple blocked it because it duplicates functionality already present on the device.

[lstrike]

How about adding that with the Sprint plan in addition to the 450 you have unlimited mobile to mobile to any network. For me that is just about unlimited calling.

[Funkatronic]

Connect and Premium plans include regular data, while a smartphone has its own data plan. That is why those two plans disappears when you choose a smartphone.

[tw1975]

Hey Nicole, how about a Family Shared Plan comparison?

[mofunz]

Dont forget, Exchange users are charged another $15 on top of the $30 data plan.

[mofunz]

Bah. You covered that up top. Pardon my early morning commenting.

[phuongnwade]

It's not a very clear table, Sprint looks to be the cheapest overall, but it's hard to compare because their alone in their pricing Category.

[Ray180]

Got a better one?

[renGek]

Actually, my sprint plan is even cheaper than whats listed but not totally unlimited. I have 400 minutes, 200 text messages, unlimited internet. Voice plan is $30, text is $5 and internet is $10. On top of that I have a 18% corporate discount.

[sweaty_taco]

My Sprint plan is 450 mins for $39.99 and $10 unlimited data plan. However, it doesnt come with text messaging, but I dont use it much anyway. If I do, it's $.20 a text each way.
The only bad thing is I cant use the newest phone technology. I would have to upgrade my plan. =^(

[steel36]

No need to apologize, Nicole. This just goes to show that even informed techy people can have trouble on the labyrinthine plan selection process employed by the wireless carriers.

Do you want the Basic plan plus text plus data? Or how about the Select plan that includes text and you add data? What's that, the Connect plan which includes data and text? Oh no, smartphone customer. That's not for you. That's only for customers who buy phones that don't really use data, but allows us to charge them a plan as if they would.

[eraser1234]

I see several errors in the comparison.

T-Mobile's cheapest voice plan includes 500 minutes, not 400 as stated above.
Sprint does have an unlimited voice (and text, and data) plan for $99.99/month

Also, I believe AT&T has an unlimited data and messaging plan for the iPhone for $30, therefore the cheapest iPhone plan would be $70

[mdub311]

The iphone's plan is data only for $30. She has it right. You have to pay extra for messaging.

[spookcuz]

t-mobile has unlimited everything plans for $79.99..you should update that..unlimited voice starts at $49.99...and voice plans start at $29.99...just fyi

[darkpoet25]

The umlimited plan you mentioned is on the Even More Plus plan, which is no contract but you pay full price for the phone. She went with plans that require a contract, hence the pricing, which is the Even More plan.

[Nicole Lee]

Thanks for the feedback -- I added a couple of clarifications and hopefully made the chart a little easier to understand.

[cp256]

They're all thieves.

[t_lombard]

It should also be mentioned that with the Droid and T-Mobile in general, while you do pay the full price on the Even More Plus plans, it is spread over 20 months. I was paying $85/month for 600 minutes plus unlimited data and text. I recently switched to the 500 minute EMP plan and am now paying $60/month for 500 minutes (I rarely use 200) plus unlimited data and text (which I do use). I also upgraded to the Cliq on Monday and after $135 payment up front ($35 being and 'activation' fee to switch plans) I am back to paying $85/month including the price of the phone. The best part is that I was still technically on contract until next October so I got a new phone a year earlier and am paying the same price. I'll take it.

[jihoon526]

should also note that Sprint plan includes unlimited mobile to mobile voice...that's unlimited to any mobile number on any network.

[magoo61]

Also, nights are 7pm - 7am with Sprint

[flyinion]

You should have added in turn by turn voice navigation. Free on the Droid, costs on AT&T via either AT&T navigator or the $90 TomTom app.

[smrtone4u]

Please read the topic. This is a plan comparison, not feature or app. If it was, she could add that droid isn't even out yet and has a limited number of apps on an unproven OS, while the iphone has over 100,000 apps and pretty much forced verizon to release a phone that ....may be 1/2 as good as it is. :-)

[ywkhgqo]

@smrtone4u
go on youtube for comparison vids. Everyone is saying the droid is AS GOOD as the iphone if not better. Unproven OS? You really are just a fanboi. Android has over 10,000 apps which most are FREE unlike Apple's app store. Not to mention the free google maps that Tom Tom charges $90 for on the iphone. Do your research before looking like a fool.

[flyinion]

The reason I mentioned the navigation thing is because if you go with the carrier's version like AT&T Navigator or VZNavigator it becomes part of your plan. You pay extra each month as part of your monthly cost.

[massalo85]

@smrtone4u
I'm not a fanboy but please do not start with all of that. I have 6 pages of apps on my iphone and have only payed for maybe 5 or 6 apps. A very large percentage of the apps are free and I know the same is true with the Android OS, but to say one has more then the other is a fanboy statement in it self. Also Google has said that they want to bring the turn by turn map to the iphone.

[f2justus]

The Android platform has been around for more than a year and it is amazing. There is an Android Marketplace with over 10,000 apps. I am not suggesting that it is as large as the Iphone but it is certainly better than has been suggested in this thread. The Android platform is open source, which allows everyone to get involved in the success or failure of the platform and it is doing very well. Very soon, the HTC Android phones will be running 2.0, which will contain Google GPS, which will remove the need to pay ATT or any other service provider for GPS service.

Also, let's not forget how many of those 100k apps for the iphone are duplicates and/or useless. How many apps does the average person download and of those, how many do they really, truly use? A very small percentage, especially on a phone that does not allow apps to run in the background.

On topic, if Sprint is going to be compared, the Simply Everything Plan for 99 also includes GPS, TV, and Radio. I think that is worth mentioning for those that want to make a true comparison of pricing across carriers.

[makjr84]

For verizon wireless I found that their select plan with 450 min W/ unlimited text/pic/vid cost $59.99. Plus the data and email for smart phone users cost $29.99. Totaling 89.98 is their best for non talkers and big web browsers/texters. DROID is the new hot phone everyone.

[makjr84]

Also free GPS on the DROID