Prepaid smartphone / plan recommendation

[havaneselover]

I need to get a smartphone. I've looked at Virgin and Straight Talk. I don't need many minutes and do more texting and reading emails. Any recommendations? I'm looking to spend < $150 on a phone and < $50/month on a plan.

Also, if this helps I've been using a Droid Incredible on Verizon for about the last two years and that does what I need.

 

[horseshowmom]

I need to get a smartphone. I've looked at Virgin and Straight Talk. I don't need many minutes and do more texting and reading emails. Any recommendations? I'm looking to spend < $150 on a phone and < $50/month on a plan.

Also, if this helps I've been using a Droid Incredible on Verizon for about the last two years and that does what I need.

I switched to ST back in October or so. I bought the Samsung Galaxy Proclaim and have been satisfied with it (really like the SWYPE). I pay $45 a month unlimited.

That said, you can use your phone with ST. My phone uses the Verizon network. You'll just need to get a sim card from ST.

 

[amylevan]

We use Page Plus, which uses Verizon's network. We were even able to keep our verizon phones when we switched.

 

[JB2K]

Agree with HSM, try the Samsung Galaxy Proclaim (available on both Net10 and StraightTalk) -- it's a great Android device, and at $45 a month for "unlimited everything", it doesn't get much better.

Oh, did I also mention this phone utilizes the Verizon Wireless National Network to carry calls/data?

 

[havaneselover]

I switched to ST back in October or so. I bought the Samsung Galaxy Proclaim and have been satisfied with it (really like the SWYPE). I pay $45 a month unlimited.

That said, you can use your phone with ST. My phone uses the Verizon network. You'll just need to get a sim card from ST.

Okay. Thanks. I will try to figure out how to do that. I see on ST's website that it says it doesn't work with Verizon phones but I'm guessing there is a work around.

 

[Lewisc]

I switched to ST back in October or so. I bought the Samsung Galaxy Proclaim and have been satisfied with it (really like the SWYPE). I pay $45 a month unlimited.

That said, you can use your phone with ST. My phone uses the Verizon network. You'll just need to get a sim card from ST.

No VN dosn't use SIM cards VN phones, very few exceptions, dont even have a SIM slot

 

[horseshowmom]

No VN dosn't use SIM cards VN phones, very few exceptions, dont even have a SIM slot

My mistake. I thought they had a micro sim or something like that.

 

[havaneselover]

Thanks for the clarification. I'm trying to see if my sister has her old Iphone 4 (if she had AT&T and not Verizon--I can't remember) and buy a sim card from ST otherwise I'll probably give the Samsung Galaxy proclaim a shot.

It seems like ST has better service than Virgin. I do like that with a Virgin IPhone I can get a $30/month plan with Virgin.

 

[horseshowmom]

Thanks for the clarification. I'm trying to see if my sister has her old Iphone 4 (if she had AT&T and not Verizon--I can't remember) and buy a sim card from ST otherwise I'll probably give the Samsung Galaxy proclaim a shot.

It seems like ST has better service than Virgin. I do like that with a Virgin IPhone I can get a $30/month plan with Virgin.

I like the phone and ST. I've had a few blips where people didn't get a text I sent - only a very few, but I wanted to mention it. I had ATT before but like Verizon just fine. The Proclaim definitely does use the Verizon network, and it wasn't too expensive. It was a pretty easy first smart phone for me.

 

[havaneselover]

Thanks again everyone. My sister is letting me have her barely used AT&T Iphone 4 so I'm going to buy a sim card and go with ST.

 

[mrodgers]

I wouldn't even pay $50/month for a phone. I have 3 Android (though older Android) phones and pay $5 to $10 each a month for texting. Max I pay would be $30 for all 3 phones. AT&T GoPhone. I don't talk and I don't need to surf the web while driving down the road. I pay $0.10/minute for my 3 phone calls a year and play with the internet on the phone on wifi when I'm at home.

Yearly cost is $300, or the equivalent to 3 phones on any of the other prepaid services for 2 months.

 

[DawnM]

Do you also have a home phone?

I wouldn't even pay $50/month for a phone. I have 3 Android (though older Android) phones and pay $5 to $10 each a month for texting. Max I pay would be $30 for all 3 phones. AT&T GoPhone. I don't talk and I don't need to surf the web while driving down the road. I pay $0.10/minute for my 3 phone calls a year and play with the internet on the phone on wifi when I'm at home.

Yearly cost is $300, or the equivalent to 3 phones on any of the other prepaid services for 2 months.

 

[mrodgers]

Do you also have a home phone?

I do have a home phone. Why wouldn't I? A home phone is less than $50 rather than everyone having their own phone at combined $150. I don't talk on a home phone either, so I would make maybe 10 phone calls a year. I assume the OP would have a home phone or don't talk on a phone as well since they stated they don't need minutes. After all, the discussion is about the original post.

 

[havaneselover]

I do have a home phone. Why wouldn't I? A home phone is less than $50 rather than everyone having their own phone at combined $150. I don't talk on a home phone either, so I would make maybe 10 phone calls a year. I assume the OP would have a home phone or don't talk on a phone as well since they stated they don't need minutes. After all, the discussion is about the original post.

I do have a home phone. I actually called Verizon yesterday to inquire about how much I would save by dropping my land line and was told it would increase my monthly price.

Thanks for the recommendation. It's amazing how much you can save if you really do your research and are willing to be flexible.

 

[DawnM]

No need to be snarky. I just was curious if that is your entire cost per month for all of your phones. I see it isn't.

OP says she needs texting and internet. Neither of those can be done on a home phone.

Dawn

I do have a home phone. Why wouldn't I? A home phone is less than $50 rather than everyone having their own phone at combined $150. I don't talk on a home phone either, so I would make maybe 10 phone calls a year. I assume the OP would have a home phone or don't talk on a phone as well since they stated they don't need minutes. After all, the discussion is about the original post.