iPhone 4: Should You Go with AT&T or Verizon?

Before I go into detail about which phone you should buy, it is important to remember that local service is a very important factor. I am simply going to review the varying features overall.

Data:
Are you a heavy data user watching Netflix videos in your car for fun? Then, you should probably go with Verizon. Verizon is currently offering unlimited data for $30 a month. AT&T, however, has a 2 GB plan for $25 (charging $10 for every extra GB) and a 200 MB plan for $15 (charging $15 for every extra 200 MB). I currently use the 200 MB plan (it saves me $10 a month and allows me to do all normal activities but video and music streaming). It is noted by AT&T that the average user uses around 400 MB. Both networks have their advantages and their disadvantages, but for the most part, AT&T offers faster data, but Verizon offers better coverage. Verizon has also stated that even though their users can get unlimited data plans, Verizon has the right to slow down their data to prevent network congestion.

Voice:
Both voice plans offer the exact same price: $40 for 450 minutes, $60 for 900 minutes, and $70 for unlimited minutes. Voice is one of the most important factors though. If you enjoy using data while you talk on the phone, beware of Verizon because your data will not work during calls. If you hate having your phone beep and tell you that the call has been dropped every few minutes, then go with Verizon.

Personal Hotspot:
Personal Hotspot allows users to create a WiFi network using their phone. Currently, it is only available on Verizon, but it may release with iOS 4.3 on AT&T.

Sims Card:
One of the loved features of being on AT&T: the ability to remove your sims cards with your phone number and plan, and put it in your new phone. Unfortunately, however, the iPhone uses a micro sims card that most phones do not use. It will come in handy however when upgrading to your iPhone 6 in two years. Verizon does not offer sims cards, but they do offer an app to import your contacts from your old phone.

Roaming:
AT&T uses a GSM network. GSM networks are widely used around the world. This means that you can roam and use other companies towers in other countries. BEWARE however, that the rates are terrible. You could rack up hundreds in fees for barely using your phone. Verizon, on the other hand, uses a CDMA network. This is not used around the world as vastly. That means that you cannot roam with it. There is rumor however that Verizon iPhones have a GSM roaming chip inside of them that is going to be activated with an update.

Overall, both phones offer a great experience. The Verizon iPhone is basically the same exact phone, but with a CDMA antenna for Verizon's network.