Difference between smartphone & quick messaging phone?

[descovy]

Sorry if that's a stupid question!

dh and I are looking to upgrade our very basic pay as you go phones to more of an all purpose phone.

It looks like we'll go with ATT... share a 550min rollover plan for $50/mo (employer discount)

We text rarely (10x a month) use about 300 min combined (pay as you go now getting to be the pricier option)

We don't live our life tied to the phone, but we like to have one on us, and would like something all purpose for a quick check of the internet (also would like wifi so we can search for free at hotspots) and have a camera & GPS.

It's been suggested that we don't need a smartphone, but that a quick messaging phone will do.

Here's the deal, data for a smart phone costs $15/mo... data/messaging plans for quick messaging starts at $20/mo .

So I guess I'm not seeing the advantage, cost/saving measures of a quick messaging phone. Can anyone enlighten me?

Any rec's on phones in either the smart phone or quick phone catergory?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

FYI if you work for a company that is one of AT&T's preferred customers, you can get the larger data plan (2GB/month) for about $19/month utilizing a 25% discount (which does not apply to the 200MB/$15 plan). It's a lot more data use per month for just a bit more money (you'll probably use it more than you think you will once you see what it can do, IMO).

I had to make some similar choices recently, coming from a very basic phone. I went with the iPhone but I got one of the older models (3GS, 16GB) from WalMart for $97 (which they still have but you may need to search around). They can do the upgrade right there in the store. I love it is all I can say. Very easy to use and there's so much you can do with it - play music, watch movies or TV shows, read newspapers and books, play games, download Apps that are fun and useful, take (good) pictures and video, etc. Be sure to check them out before you make your decision as if you change your mind later you'll be locked into your contract and will have to pay full price for one, which is a lot, something like $500+. (I know lots of people in this predicament who wish they got an iPhone now.)

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2528252&referrerid=70088

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

I have a QM phone w/o the data. The data wasn't worth it to me. I have the Samsung Solstice. I pay $20 for unlimited family messaging for 3 qm phones.. The bonus with a QM phone is that they don't force you to carry the data plan but if you actually want it them a smart phone is the way to go.

 

[Imzadi]

I've had different models of the prepaid Tracfones for about 8 years now. I recently got this new camera, web capable, text messaging Tracfone and made a review over on the Budget Board.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2486103

There are a couple of other models out too, for GSM phones with SIM cards. The LG600G is one.

This works wonderfully for my needs. Some months I do not use very many minutes, and ALL minutes roll over. A 200 minute card is $40. Since most Tracfones are "Double Minutes" phones, meaning when you add on a minute card, it doubles the minutes to 400 minutes. Plus, there are always FREE bonus minute promo codes for more free minutes to add on with each card. So you can get 520 minutes for $40.

Of course, the more minutes you add on, the more that get doubled and the bigger the free promos minutes you can add on. Then you can just let the extra minutes roll over, until you figure out how many minutes you will actually use.

You only need to add on one minutes card, (any amount) every 90 days to keep service active.


ETA: Straighttalk, which is another division of Tracfone has an unlimited plan, using the same phones, which I think is $30/month for unlimited web, text, camera usage.