I would like to know if anyone has found a way to return the SMS Experience back similar to v4.7. I am not a fan of the SMS "upgraded" version with conversation. I have tried every setting I could find and even had the local store look into it. Unless someone has an idea (or Verizon can make it an option) I will go back to v4.7 if I have to. The update for me isn't worth it so far. Below is a quote from the update information.
From the Update info:
SMS Experience
Has been adapted to emulate the chat windows you’re familiar with in popular desktop IM applications. The new Messages list interface threads incoming and outgoing SMS communications as a conversation history, with support for emoticons and contact information from your address book— including pictures. (When you delete a SMS message it deletes both sent and received)