This Thread is to make a place where issues of Uconnect and Cell phones can be separated from other Uconnect issues such as updates. There appears to be compatibility issues with some cell phones and as to what cell phones work well with the Uconnect system and general cell phone cost and related issues. I have listed but a few of the considerations that Uconnect users may want to consider with their cell phones Should I have any wrong info let me know and I will edit and correct.
The Uconnect compatibility wizard gives results that are incomplete and even list cell phones that are no longer available from certain carriers. The Wizard also list only Cell phones that are available with Data plans. The information is very hard to find and smaller carriers like Frontier Communications in the mountain states and new cell phone systems that are trying to compete with the monopolistic practices of major carriers are shut out of the pipe line. The Uconnect compatibility chart is 2 years out of date and they probably will not issue a new one until they have ironed out their firmware issues with gremlins.
Verizon charges an extra $40.00 per month per phone for Data plan phones such as the Apple I5, Apple S4, Samsung S4 and the Razr HD. Some of the aforementioned phones have WIFI connectivity that allows the user to connect to the internet through their home networks or through free Internet hotspots without using up their Data minutes. Also, for those who use their cell phones in areas that have poor cell coverage, the antenna strength is a factor. For those who have cell phone boosters the frequencies are important when changing possible carriers. As I recall ATT and Verizon use 800/1900 and Sprint uses another frequency
There are other considerations about choice of cell phone that should be considered as some may chose to use basic cell phones which will use only some of the features of the Uconnect. Cell phone charging through the Uconnect USB port may be somewhat slower than other charging systems.
There may be other considerations not mentioned so it would be helpful if both current cell phone users and those looking to change post their pro’s and Con’s about their systems.
Please post your Cell phone model and operating system, Uconnect Model and firmware number, compatibility pro’s and Con’s.
For Instance since my GC is on order, and I have not purchased the cell phones that I will upgrade to. I can show only what I’m considering. All 3 have multiple advanced features that exceed the features of the Apple I4 and the Samsung S3
For Me
With a 2 year plan:
Apple I5, O.S. EOS 6.1.0, cost $199, Activation $30, Carrier Verizon, Pro’s Wi-Fi, and Data functional, new aluminum back and not as fragile as Apple I4s, Con’s: Gorilla glass front still fragile and drop test report not as durable as the Samsung S4i ask system competes with Samsung S voice
Apple S4, O.S. EOS ?, Cost $99, Activation $30, Carrier Verizon Pro’s advanced features; Cons Fragile in drop test
Samsung S4, OS Android, cost $199 Carrier: Verizon, Uconnect 8.4AN, Pro’s: WIFI, functional compatibility Cons: Reported Bluetooth drop out and inability to transmit text messages, S Voice competes With Apple Siri
Motorola Razr HD cost $99, Carrier Verizon
HTC Droid Cost $99, Carrier Verizon
For Wife
Samsung Samsung Intensity® III, OS BREW, no Data plan, Cost $49.Carrier: Verizon : Uconnect 8.4 An, Pro’s Basic Cell, Low Cost, less expensive plan from Verizon, available a basic phone from Verizon ,: Con’s: cannot use all Uconnect features, No Data, May not be compatible with U Connect..
Since I live in a rural area, with limited cell coverage even with a booster amp, the Cell phone antenna strength is an important factor.
Concerning the new UCONNECT systems, they also have WIFI connectivity for a subscription cost. As I understand the system, it uses both public hotspots for connectivity and also it’s own hotspot with a transmission range of up to 150 ft from the vehicle.which if used may be redundant to a cell phone with WIFI connectivity and a waste of money but for Jeep owners in the boonies may be a godsend. This option cost $ and is available on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
Use the following link to access voice commands and other Uconnect topics. such as pairing your phone, system updates, Identification
https://rsur.extra.chrysler.com/rsur/Uconnect.do
http://www.driveuconnect.com/support/jeep/
The Uconnect compatibility wizard gives results that are incomplete and even list cell phones that are no longer available from certain carriers. The Wizard also list only Cell phones that are available with Data plans. The information is very hard to find and smaller carriers like Frontier Communications in the mountain states and new cell phone systems that are trying to compete with the monopolistic practices of major carriers are shut out of the pipe line. The Uconnect compatibility chart is 2 years out of date and they probably will not issue a new one until they have ironed out their firmware issues with gremlins.
Verizon charges an extra $40.00 per month per phone for Data plan phones such as the Apple I5, Apple S4, Samsung S4 and the Razr HD. Some of the aforementioned phones have WIFI connectivity that allows the user to connect to the internet through their home networks or through free Internet hotspots without using up their Data minutes. Also, for those who use their cell phones in areas that have poor cell coverage, the antenna strength is a factor. For those who have cell phone boosters the frequencies are important when changing possible carriers. As I recall ATT and Verizon use 800/1900 and Sprint uses another frequency
There are other considerations about choice of cell phone that should be considered as some may chose to use basic cell phones which will use only some of the features of the Uconnect. Cell phone charging through the Uconnect USB port may be somewhat slower than other charging systems.
There may be other considerations not mentioned so it would be helpful if both current cell phone users and those looking to change post their pro’s and Con’s about their systems.
Please post your Cell phone model and operating system, Uconnect Model and firmware number, compatibility pro’s and Con’s.
For Instance since my GC is on order, and I have not purchased the cell phones that I will upgrade to. I can show only what I’m considering. All 3 have multiple advanced features that exceed the features of the Apple I4 and the Samsung S3
For Me
With a 2 year plan:
Apple I5, O.S. EOS 6.1.0, cost $199, Activation $30, Carrier Verizon, Pro’s Wi-Fi, and Data functional, new aluminum back and not as fragile as Apple I4s, Con’s: Gorilla glass front still fragile and drop test report not as durable as the Samsung S4i ask system competes with Samsung S voice
Apple S4, O.S. EOS ?, Cost $99, Activation $30, Carrier Verizon Pro’s advanced features; Cons Fragile in drop test
Samsung S4, OS Android, cost $199 Carrier: Verizon, Uconnect 8.4AN, Pro’s: WIFI, functional compatibility Cons: Reported Bluetooth drop out and inability to transmit text messages, S Voice competes With Apple Siri
Motorola Razr HD cost $99, Carrier Verizon
HTC Droid Cost $99, Carrier Verizon
For Wife
Samsung Samsung Intensity® III, OS BREW, no Data plan, Cost $49.Carrier: Verizon : Uconnect 8.4 An, Pro’s Basic Cell, Low Cost, less expensive plan from Verizon, available a basic phone from Verizon ,: Con’s: cannot use all Uconnect features, No Data, May not be compatible with U Connect..
Since I live in a rural area, with limited cell coverage even with a booster amp, the Cell phone antenna strength is an important factor.
Concerning the new UCONNECT systems, they also have WIFI connectivity for a subscription cost. As I understand the system, it uses both public hotspots for connectivity and also it’s own hotspot with a transmission range of up to 150 ft from the vehicle.which if used may be redundant to a cell phone with WIFI connectivity and a waste of money but for Jeep owners in the boonies may be a godsend. This option cost $ and is available on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
Use the following link to access voice commands and other Uconnect topics. such as pairing your phone, system updates, Identification
https://rsur.extra.chrysler.com/rsur/Uconnect.do
http://www.driveuconnect.com/support/jeep/