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1. 

   m741
   

   Master
   Joined: Jan '11
   Posts: 734

   I've had the same cell phone since 2003, a simple pre-paid clamshell TMobile. I can make/receive calls and text, and that's basically it. Total cost is between $10 and $15 per month. I'm looking to upgrade to something more broadly useful, and I'd appreciate suggestions for phone+carrier.

   For me the 'killer app' is just having google map access all the time. Even having email access with me would be useful. Also, some note-taking apps, reader apps, barcode scanners, mp3 player, etc, all sound nice. Having internet functionality outside the US would be awesome as well.

   I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions. I obviously need some kind of data, but I rarely make phone calls, and I text infrequently. I'm willing to pay a higher upfront cost if it means that I can avoid a contract, or get a cheap contract.

   I don't want to carry multiple phones, or a phone and an mp3 player. Philosophically I prefer Android, but I do think the iPhone has more polish.

   Posted 11 months ago #
2. 

   OTCW
   

   Apprentice
   Joined: Mar '11
   Posts: 39

   T Mobile has a nice $30 month to month (no contract) plan. 100 minutes of calls plus unlimited text and data (throttled after 5 GB). The Samsung Exhibit II is probably their most capable android phone. It doesn't have a keyboard, so it would take some getting used to for the touch screen. There are keyboard smart phones on T Mobile if you insist on that.

   You have to be careful and look at how much memory the phone has. Some of the older androids they have available don't have much, and get full after just a few apps being installed.

   Because there is no contract with this plan, the phone will cost you up front. I'm thinking the phone I mentioned above is $249.

   I am still deciding if it is worth it to me. I am currently a Net 10 customer with a 'dumb' phone that costs me about $19 a month. If I went the smart phone route, I would likely kill my $40.50/month home internet and tether the smart phone to my laptop for the few times I would actually want to use it to access the internet. I am assuming I could do the basic web stuff through the smart phone itself. So, $30 a month versus $19 + $40.50, or $59.50,but with more limited,but still functional, internet.

   Oh, and they are getting the IPhone sometime soon if you decided you want that.

   Posted 11 months ago #
3. 

   frygirl
   

   Novice
   Joined: Oct '11
   Posts: 17

   I just got a Motorola Bravo (android) from Consumer Cellular last week and have been thrilled with the phone and the service. CC is a prepaid/no contract service that offers monthly payment tiers of voice and data. They resell on the AT&T network. You select a voice and data tier separately, so you can go super low on voice since you don't use it much, and higher on data. The voice and data plans I selected will total $25 a month, and that's not even the lowest tiers. Plus they notify you by email if you are approaching your monthly limit so you can temporarily go up to the next tier to avoid overage charges.

   After using the phone for about a week I'm very pleased. I selected this particular phone because it has WiFi (not all smart phones do) which saves huge on data charges when I use it at home or a friend's house. And I downloaded an app to locate free WiFi when out and about, although I haven't tested it yet. I plan to use the WiFi when traveling outside the U.S.

   The Bravo allows you to play mp3's, but I don't use that functionality.

   I investigated the Tracfone prepaid service which is a prepaid 'pay for every minute and text' offering. I believe it would be slightly cheaper than Consumer Cellular, but I didn't want to get annoyed if I got silly text messages from someone (like my young niece) knowing that I would get dinged $0.10 for each one.

   My previous phone was a Blackberry with Verizon service. That monthly plan was $80 per month, which includes a corporate discount. Now that I have switched to my $25 a month plan with CC, I actually gained functionality with the droid and pay much less in monthly fees. Note I paid up front for the Motorola Bravo, which was $190 including taxes.

   CC forgot to load the voicemail number on the phone's SIM card. I tried to report the problem using their online web form and didn't get a response within 24 hours as promised. I eventually located an 800 line for service on the welcome letter, and my call was answered immediately and the service agent fixed the problem straight away.

   Posted 11 months ago #
4. 

   Chris
   

   Journeyman
   Joined: Jul '10
   Posts: 195

   I'm in a similar situation. My current dumbphone is with VirginMobile ($64/yr). But yeah, like m741, I'd like international cell access for data, which means switching to GSM.

   As far as phones, I've looked at some Samsung models, and haven't been impressed with their build quality. Under current consideration is the Sony Xperia Neo.

   Google's recent announcement about better offline Maps support is making a smartphone seem like a better and better deal to me. It'd be nice to sync with Maps via wifi at home before heading out, then navigating without data charges.

   Posted 11 months ago #
5. 

   BeyondtheWrap
   

   Journeyman
   Joined: Jul '10
   Posts: 267

   It is possible to move your prepaid plan onto an iPhone. It wouldn't have a data plan that way, but I'm pretty sure you would still be able to access the Internet in places with Wi-Fi.

   Posted 11 months ago #
6. 

   GandK
   

   Journeyman
   Joined: Sep '11
   Posts: 271

   I have an HTC Evo 4G from Sprint. $85/month for unlimited everything (I get a slight discount on my Sprint bill because of my husband's work). However, after rooting that phone, I'm now able to use it as a wireless Internet access point for free. So that $85/month is both my phone bill AND my Internet bill. Not lightning fast - even in a 4G area you can't stream Netflix without hiccups - but it's unlimited.

   I couldn't be happier. It's unbelievably convenient to have my "home" Internet service with me everywhere I go. No way would I switch.

   Sprint corporate discount list:

   http://community.sprint.com/baw/message/135440#135440

   Most government employees, police, firefighters, etc. are also eligible for a discount. You just have to ask.

   Posted 11 months ago #
7. 

   Chad
   

   Expert
   Joined: Jul '10
   Posts: 1,006

   I have an iPhone through work, which is $90 per month (unlimited on ATT). Work covers most of the monthly fee, so cost isn't a huge issue for me.

   I have looked into the regional carriers, but roaming would be a big issue for my data plan. I have found that when I travel my data usage triples or more, so I don't want to be geographically limited.

   You might want to wait until the fall and the new iPhones comes out. A bigger one is rumored (challenge the Galaxy series from Samsung) and both the big and small one will be 4G. I'm not necessarily suggesting you buy the iPhone, but I would imagine it will put some serious pressure on Samsung and others to lower their prices on their top of the line phones.

   Plus, the new Nokia Luminia with Microsoft's Win 8/Metro OS will be out and I imagine they will make that phone cheap to try and grab some market share. Supposedly, Win 8/Metro for the phone is a very nice OS.

   Also, keep in mind that only Apple and Samsung actually make decent money on their phones (HTC too a lessor extent), so they probably have better customer service than most other manufacturers. I know from first hand experience that no company in any industry has better customer service than Apple.

   Posted 11 months ago #
8. 

   johnny555
   

   Novice
   Joined: Oct '10
   Posts: 4

   I own a Galaxy Nexus(gsm) which been a good experience. I've kept it stock, haven't seen a need to mess with it.

   I recently switched my number to work so they now cover the service. Otherwise I was looking into Straight Talk from reading this thread:
   http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1455014

   Posted 11 months ago #
9. 

   karim
   

   Apprentice
   Joined: Oct '11
   Posts: 47

   You can also get the HTC EVO 4G from Virgin Mobile and use it to tether on 4G for free (without needing to root the phone). The lowest plan is $35 with 300 minutes unlimited text/data. My wife has it and it's been great so far. You can get the phones on amazon at a discount (I think all phones can be bought that way) or get it used.

   But once you get a smart phone it's very hard to ever switch back to a "dumb" phone. I've tried slowing down on my data use but I've found that's really helpful to use (I use for bus schedules, yelps, etc). I also have a friend who is constantly on his damn smart phone. Even in the middle of a conversation he will look away from you and check his phone.

   Posted 11 months ago #
10. 

    m741
    

    Master
    Joined: Jan '11
    Posts: 734

    @karim - that Virgin Mobile option looks pretty good. $35/month is a reasonable price to me, especially with unlimited data.

    Any pointers for where you bought your phone? I can't seem to locate the Virgin Mobile model on Amazon.

    Posted 11 months ago #
11. 

    tylerrr
    

    Journeyman
    Joined: Dec '11
    Posts: 200

    yes, this is the same question I have...

    I'm moving soon soon and I can't take my work phone with me.

    Should I buy a cheap used phone and then put TMobile,Virgin Mobile service on it?

    Or should I just buy the phone through TMobile or whoever I'm getting my service from?

    thanks,

    Tyler

    Posted 11 months ago #
12. 

    BW
    

    Novice
    Joined: Aug '11
    Posts: 20

    Beware of just buying any phone and thinking it'll work on any plan you want. In case you didn't know old phones are tied to carriers and need to be flashed over to a new carrier and even then might not be able to switch network types (ie verizon to AT&T).

    I flashed a phone over that I bought on craigslist myself and thought it was pretty simple. Everything you'd ever need to know about phones is at -

    forum.xda-developers.com/
    and howardforums.com

    Posted 11 months ago #
13. 

    karim
    

    Apprentice
    Joined: Oct '11
    Posts: 47

    @m741: There is usually a lag between when Virgin releases a phone (for the EVO I think it was in the last few days) and when Amazon will sell it on their website. Of course the longer you wait the cheaper the phone gets. Anyway, the EVO 4G for Virgin is not yet available on Amazon.

    @tyler: I've found that it's cheaper to buy them elsewhere (like Amazon), cheaper still getting it used.

    Posted 11 months ago #
14. 

    wheatstate
    

    Novice
    Joined: Aug '11
    Posts: 14

    Thanks, johnny555. That is a great link for a phone strategy.

    I am about to switch to using google voice as my primary number. Apparently, Android phones work better with google voice.

    Pageplus also has good prepaid plans at $12: 250 min talk/text, $30: 1200 min talk/text/100mb data, $55: unlimited Talk/text/data.
    Pageplus uses the verizon network.

    Confirming what network works best in the area you use/travel should be considered. This might push me to pageplus/verizon

    Posted 11 months ago #
15. 

    tylerrr
    

    Journeyman
    Joined: Dec '11
    Posts: 200

    i've decided to go with Virgin.

    Posted 11 months ago #
16. 

    rcamp
    

    Apprentice
    Joined: Aug '11
    Posts: 65

    Crap - I meant to post on this thread before you committed tylerr

    DW and I left virgin fot straight talk BYO phone. 2-3 issues with VM for us ( although the 25$/month plan was nice )

    Virgin never updates their phones OS, at least in the US. So if there's a bug of any kind.. If software could fix it, your on your own. We had the moto triumph at the end, and it worked better ( less crashing, reboots etc ) after I rooted mine and put an alpha build of ICS on it .

    Second, they're CDMA phones. So if you get into a low signal, intermittent no signal area - it starts seeking a tower and chewing up more battery.

    Third you have less towers than sprint's to roam on.

    Finally the speed of data was so inconsistent as to be unpredictable

    So, maybe your experience will be different. We sold our triumphs and went with the unlocked galaxy nexus.

    YMMV

    Posted 10 months ago #
17. 

    GandK
    

    Journeyman
    Joined: Sep '11
    Posts: 271

    I would never go with Virgin because their "unlimited plan" isn't. If you're going to use your phone as a wireless hotspot to the extent that it becomes your home Internet connection, that won't work unless your REALLY monitor your usage.

    Posted 10 months ago #
18. 

    rcamp
    

    Apprentice
    Joined: Aug '11
    Posts: 65

    ... and to @m741, OP --->

    I'd go with a GSM based absolutely unlocked phone. So if you needed service - buy whatever SIM you like. In the case of any CDMA phone its typically locked to the carrier etc an can ( rarely ) be flashed to another CDMA carrier.

    As mentioned we have the Galaxy Nexus direct from google. Wife and I love it so far. Even if Apple had released an Iphone 5 by now - I'd be hesitant only because of arbitrary restrictions Apple would put on it - even though from a quality standpoint it really is a quality experience.

    My BIL likes his Samsung S2, S3 looks inviting too Despite the size the Samsung "phablet" is getting pretty rave reviews.

    Posted 10 months ago #
19. 

    Hoplite
    

    Master
    Joined: Dec '10
    Posts: 489

    A court has banned the sale by Samsung of its Galaxy Nexus phones based on an Apple lawsuit. Samsung has appealed and this ban could be temporarily lifted, unless and until Samsung loses the case:

    http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57464591-37/samsung-appeals-apples-injunction-against-galaxy-nexus/

    Posted 10 months ago #

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