Cingular 8125 vs. Verizon xv6700

[jamisonw]

I have been with Cingular for years. I have a Seimens SX66 and I like it a lot, but I am a gadget freak and I need a new device now. I want faster EDGE or EVDO speeds and a camera. I have been drooling over the 6700 devices from Sprint and Verizon, but hate to switch carriers if I don't need to. Cingular released the 8125 today (supposedly) and I am at a crossroads. Sales just told me it would be available later this month. Anyone have a strong opinion? I have to compare service and the device. Here is what I see:

Cingular 8125 Advantages:
No hassle, already with Cingular
No contract cancellation fee
Wife has SMT4600 and if I want to upgrade, the Cingular 2125 looks EXCELLENT for her and Verizon doesn't have an option like that

Cingular 8125 Disadvantages:
Slow processor
EDGE is not that fast yet. If a phone is EDGE compatible, does that mean it will do G3 when that is available?
No insurance available for device

Verizon xv6700 Advantages:
Way better service in Seattle area than Cingular
Fast processor
EVDO seems must faster than EDGE from my experience
$6/month for insurance

Verizon xv6700 Disadvantages:
No rollover minutes on plan
Have to swap me and my wife over

Anyone have thoughts?

[inteller]

no the 8125 will not get magicly faster when UMTS is rolled out...whenever that may be. EV-DO tromps all over EDGE.

[Janak Parekh]

It's not an easy decision for sure. Other considerations to include is the fact that Verizon's data is expensive (but then of course, Cingular is not cheap either); that Verizon cripples Bluetooth; that Verizon, being CDMA, doesn't use a SIM; and that the 8125/Wizard is known for very good battery life.

To me, the most important thing is the service -- does it work everywhere I need? If both fulfill that, then perhaps what you should do is to wait until the 8125 is out, buy it, try it for a few days, and then make your decision. This is easier than switching to Verizon now and switching "back" if you don't like the XV6700 experience. Yes, this entails waiting a little bit longer, and I've found that tough too at times, but since you're playing around with contract possibilities here, that's how I'd do it.

Incidentally, for this to work, you should verify with Cingular that if you buy a subsidized 8125, that there's a trial period for both the device and the contract renewal.

As for EDGE vs. EVDO: yes, EVDO is much faster. But what do you honestly plan to do with the device? Would EDGE be "good enough"? If not, then that will factor into the discussion above as well.

--janak