Sprint Review
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- The Good
- Affordable service pricing
- Nationwide coverage, even in most rural areas
- Greatly expanded 4G LTE network
- The Bad
- Data transfer speeds at the low end of the top of the market
While Sprint is one of the most recognized names in wireless service, it also has a few problems. Historically, Sprint has not been the most reliable network, though recent expansion plans have greatly improved its network reliability. As an affordable, top-tier provider, Sprint offers the latest and greatest phones, without the premium service price tag charged by some competitors.
- Unlimited
- Starting at $50 per month
- Family Plan
- Starting at $35 per month
Sprint offers some of the most affordable options for wireless service among the top providers. It runs regular specials to stay competitive. For example, it is not unusual to see an offer that includes the third, fourth and even fifth line free with the purchase of the first two lines. You might also see discounts on lease agreements for new devices. The company runs a constant slew of different offers that may undercut your current wireless pricing. Take a look at the latest offers to see if switching to Sprint can save you money.
- Coverage Area
- #3 in coverage area
When rating networks, you need to compare several types of service. The leading data provider might not have the best call reliability. The leader in calling might take forever to send a text. Sprint ranks at No. 2 in both calling and text but falls to No. 4 for data and speed. In reliability, it sits at a solid No. 3. Of course, the difference between networks is sometimes less than a percentage point in a category, so your area may not have much of a difference. (Here’s RootMetrics coverage map to compare for yourself.)
- Features
- High-speed network
- Rollover data
- Unlimited data plans
- Family plans
- Low-cost leasing
- Updated top of the line phones available
Sprint is one of the most affordable industry leaders in wireless service. As part of its commitment to low prices, it offers a range of options and features. Unlimited data or shared data with rollover are both options. You can also lease or buy a phone, sometimes with significant discounts on a monthly lease. With nationwide coverage, particularly for calling and texting, Sprint is one of the lowest price options if you want some of the newest phones on the market.
- Extra Fees
- Early Termination Fee
- $50 to $350 per line
- Restocking Fee
- $35
- Activation Fee
- $36
- Upgrade Fee
- $40
Sprint is one of the most affordable options for wireless service, but it may also pile on some unusual fees. For example, when upgrading a phone, you may pay an upgrade fee and an activation fee, both billed at $36. Be aware of the costs, and look for options that will waive these fees and allow you to upgrade at no charge.
- International Plans
- Talk is 20 cents per minute
- Free texting
- Free data at 2G speeds or less
- High-speed data available between $2-10 per day or $10-50 per week
Sprint’s Global Roaming means you don’t need an international plan to use your device on the go. When you travel, you automatically have roaming activated, unless you’re enrolled in a specific alternate plan. With Global Roaming, you get a locked-in rate for calls, free texting and slow, but free, data. If you need more speed, you can always upgrade for a nominal additional fee.
Sprint: User Reviews
Sprint: Comments
Sprint Mobile is one of the nation’s largest wireless service providers, routinely scoring in the top three across five different categories. With excellent service and some of the most affordable prices available, Sprint is a solid choice for cell phone service.
How Does Sprint Mobile Work?
Switching to Sprint Mobile is fairly straightforward. If you own a Sprint-compatible device, you can activate it online at the Sprint website with a new service plan or visit a retail location. If you don’t already own a compatible device, you can always buy one.
Sprint offers phones on its website and even has online-only pricing, so you should always check the website before making a purchase. Sprint phones are available at many big box stores and electronics stores, so you can test them out in person before choosing your new device.
When you’ve decided on a new device, you can choose your plan and get started. Either buy the phone and activate it directly with Sprint via phone, chat, in-store or using the site, or have the retailer handle the activation. Just make sure you get any special price discounts that are available, like free activation or no upgrade fee. Getting started usually only takes a few minutes, and if you buy in a store, you’ll walk out with a working phone.
What Makes Sprint Stand Out?
Sprint offers a solid coverage network and affordable pricing. The combination is what makes Sprint one of the most recognized names in mobile service. Plus, Sprint is one of the most reliable options for talk and text, so if you don’t need lightning-fast data, it’s a solid choice. Why pay more to get speed you don’t need?
Sprint has dramatically improved its data speeds over the last few years and has more expansion plans in the works. As it grows its data infrastructure, you may see speeds improve, making it a true contender for the top two spots in wireless, along with affordable pricing.
Common Reviews of Sprint
Sprint reviews tend to focus on the slow data as a big downside, but for most users, the discounted price and reliable text and calling, along with more and more accessible Wi-Fi service, make it a reliable selection.
Negative consumer reviews tend to focus on a specific instance, not general phone service. Billing is a constant issue, which plagues all wireless service providers. None of them score well on consumer review sites focused on customer service issues, but many, including Sprint, enjoy positive reviews when talking about service.
Can I Get Deals on Sprint Mobile’s Site?
Sprint continually updates its product offerings to include new phones, new plans and a ton of accessories. When you shop for a plan or device online, you can often get some really great prices by buying direct. For example, you can save up to 50 percent on a lease agreement when you shop online. You might also get a BOGO offer if the company is running a special on a particular new phone.
Other offers might include fee waivers that need verification. If you want an employee discount, you’ll need to verify your employment through the site. Sure, you might have to wait a few days for a phone to ship when you buy online, but you might also get some fairly big discounts.
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