[Samsung Galaxy Nexus] firelightx:
I'm sure this has been touched on a bit, but I kind of want to provide a counterpoint here: The cost of buying a new phone (or phones) because what happens when the galaxy nexus is no longer my phone of choice? That LG Nexus is looking pretty tasty, and by this time next year the GNex is gonna look downright stale. I'm gonna want a new one.

Let's assume that Google maintains its current business model: $349.99 for an unlocked pentaband nexus. I know this is the way I will want to go, because I've sworn off buying anything except a Nexus (and thanks to Verizon, I will always, always, ALWAYS root the stupid thing) Now let's assume I only pick one up every... 20 months or so. A) Because this number works nicely with the math and comparison, and B) Because realistically I doubt I could afford a new phone at $350 more often than that.

$349.99/20=$17.49 per month

It seems to me, based on post #2 in this thread, that most if not all MVNOs do a 2GB plan for 60 a month.

60=17.49=77.49

So that's my baseline. The cost per month of cellphone+service on most of these characters, for my phone of choice.

Now. I need two of these. One for me, one for my wife. Now I'm at $154.98 per month.

Now here's the counterpoint: Verizon's cost and setup.

Plan first: For two phones: $150 even, per month.

I get a 19% discount, which comes off the $70 data package. 80+(70-19%)=$136.70

Now, the cost of two phones. We'll assume that they go with $199.99 a piece, since it seems Verizon is finally done with their $300 whack jobs. So, $400 for two phones. 400/20 month upgrades = $20 a month.

$136.70+20= $156.70

It's a 2 dollar difference, month over month. That equates to only $40 savings over the course of almost 2 years if I go this route you're suggesting. And this is not even taking into account details like haggling with a sales rep for a better price on the phones, or catching a deal for it on Amazon.

What do I get for my troubles? LTE. Coverage in areas that you're not. There was mention of "do I really need coverage up in that cabin I spend only one weekend a year?" Not terribly, but for $2 more a month it's really not exactly breaking my bank.

Are there some drawbacks? Yeah, I suppose so. Being in a contract can be a bummer. I suppose if I have to break early, selling my phone on craigslist/ebay just to cover the termination fees does suck compared to selling it and pocketing that money. Having to wait 20 months to get new phones each time is kind of a bummer, too, but let's face it: if I have to throw down $700 each time I want a pair of new phones on prepaid, it's going to find up waiting a couple years, anyway. Besides, there's always craigslist if I need something new that badly, and that'd hold true whether I'm prepaid or postpaid, in this case.

The difference in price is negligible, So it becomes a process of weighing the downsides and upsides. Faster speeds and better coverage vs. the freedom to leave whenever I want? Quite frankly I can't see a reason just yet to leave Verizon, so that's not a concern for me. It may be for you. But not for me.

This is why contracts won't die. Prepaid is not a substantial savings in the long run. And especially not compared to larger family plans. By the time you're looking at 3 phones for your family, $60 a month a piece, plus a $350 price tag on a good model, gets a little out of hand. Let alone 4 or 5. Not when you're looking at $40 a month add-a-lines.