Questions about phone for dd12?

[RitaE]

Yes, "cool" phones and "pay as you go" are very much comptaible (there are certain restrictions for certain phones) and yes, you can pay $45 a month for "unlimited everything" on an iPhone, or the latest Andriod.

The only caveat is if you don't already have the phone, you'll have to pay extra, since the phone won't be "subsidized" by the carrier...

I'm hearing that PagePlus (Verizon network) is about to make an iPhone announcement. As well as a 6GB data plan.

 

[pixiewings71]

My DD12 and DD16 both have basic phones, I'm the only one in our family with a smart phone at all. My stance is they can get smart phones when they can pay for them, so if DD16 had a job and wanted a smart phone she could pay for the upgrade and pay for the extra $30 a month. She has an iTouch though so I think she's pretty much OK with what she has.
In your case I would get the basic phone for $10 a month.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

I'm sorry to hijack this thread, but out of curiosity does anyone know how much a plan for one (or two) iphones cost a month? My dh told me last week he had priced two iphones for us and it was going to cost over $200 a month for the two of us. That seemed crazy to me and looking at what you guys are posting for adding an iphone to an existing plan is making me scratch my head. I'm thinking maybe he wasn't looking at the right thing or something.

 

[RitaE]

I'm sorry to hijack this thread, but out of curiosity does anyone know how much a plan for one (or two) iphones cost a month? My dh told me last week he had priced two iphones for us and it was going to cost over $200 a month for the two of us. That seemed crazy to me and looking at what you guys are posting for adding an iphone to an existing plan is making me scratch my head. I'm thinking maybe he wasn't looking at the right thing or something.

What carrier and how much data do you plan on using?

 

[luvmy3jewels]

What carrier and how much data do you plan on using?

We are on US Cellular right now, but would have to switch to Verizon if we wanted an iphone. I have no idea about how much data, but would think one of the lower data plans would be sufficient.

 

[Dorisk3]

I would go with the iPhone. I'm going to be honest here, she will probably be embarrassed by the basic phone and never use it.

 

[luvmy3]

I'm hearing that PagePlus (Verizon network) is about to make an iPhone announcement. As well as a 6GB data plan.

Oh great, if they are "officially" adding the Iphone then dd is not gong to be happy that I already got her a phone to activate on Page Plus

We are on US Cellular right now, but would have to switch to Verizon if we wanted an iphone. I have no idea about how much data, but would think one of the lower data plans would be sufficient.

It will be $80 ($40 for each Iphone) plus whatever data plan you add. They range from $50 to $100 a month depending on how many GBs of data you want.

 

[kkandaj]

I'm going to be honest here, she will probably be embarrassed by the basic phone and never use it.

She may be embarrassed, but this is also a good teaching moment about being grateful for what they have--especially something that isn't a necessity. Holes in your shoes and clothes that are too small--something to be embarrassed about. Having a phone at all--not something to be embarrassed about. Maybe I'm too simplistic, but the minute my child feels entitled to an iphone, I will feel like I have a problem on my hands. If my kid told me they would be embarrassed to use the "regular" phone, they could choose not to have one. Simple as that.

OP--it all depends on what you can afford or WANT to pay. Though you may be able to afford the extra $40/month, is that something you want to pay? I'm not against a tween having an iphone--not being gratefulf for a regular phone is what I would have a problem with. Only you know your child and what is best for your situation.

 

[robinb]

I would go with the flip phone, mostly because you can never be sure how much data a teenager will use. FTR, I've heard that you can fix the screen of the iPod fairly easily with a kit from eBay. My DD's friend's dad has had to do it a couple of time .

 

[cheerky]

I was on the fence about allowing my DD (12) to upgrade her phone to a smart phone this summer. I learned that our school district would be utilizing smart phone technology for students in the near future. I went ahead and let her choose a free smart phone and I pay the additional 29.99/month. We have verizon's share everything plan.

We are always on the go and having the smart phone has proved beneficial. She downloaded an app that allows her to view/ submit assignments, vocabulary, etc.

Overall, it is a splurge and definitely not a necessity but DD is a good, responsible kid.

 

[RitaE]

Oh great, if they are "officially" adding the Iphone then dd is not gong to be happy that I already got her a phone to activate on Page Plus

It will be $80 ($40 for each Iphone) plus whatever data plan you add. They range from $50 to $100 a month depending on how many GBs of data you want.

I just did a quote on the Verizon website for 2 iPhone 5 16GB with 1GB of shared data, unlimited talk, unlimited text. It is $400 for the phones and then $130 a month.

If you went with the iPhone 4 or 4s the phone would be free but you wouldn't be on the LTE network.

All of those options would require a 2 Year contract

There actually is one cheaper data plan but I ignored it because with an iPHone I have to think you'll use at least 500MB each a month. (1GB total)

----
If you went with one of the Prepaid Phone plans the first difference is you'd have to buy your own phone up front. I don't think you can use the iPhone 5 on any of them yet --- you'd have to use the iPhone 4 or 4s.

The cost would be $55 each ($110 total) on the PagePlus plan (2GB data, unlimited talk and text). PagePlus uses the Verizon network. Right now the iPhones aren't officially allowed but there are scores of people who have activated their iPhone 4/4s devices on PagePlus.

Or $45 each on Straight Talk ($90 a month) (ATT network) Straight Talk advertises unlimited data but in truth they throttle the phones down when you go over 2GB.

The HUGE advantage of these prepaid plan is the no commitment/no contract aspect. You pay for your own phone upfront but you can cancel or leave at anytime.

A good place to research is
http://www.howardforums.com/forums.php

 

[luvmy3]

----
If you went with one of the Prepaid Phone plans the first difference is you'd have to buy your own phone up front. I don't think you can use the iPhone 5 on any of them yet --- you'd have to use the iPhone 4 or 4s.

The cost would be $55 each ($110 total) on the PagePlus plan (2GB data, unlimited talk and text). PagePlus uses the Verizon network. Right now the iPhones aren't officially allowed but there are scores of people who have activated their iPhone 4/4s devices on PagePlus.

I read something yesterday about Verizon announcing that the iPhone 4 & 4S will be available on their pre-paid plan and I immediately thought that might mean Page Plus will be officially allowing it too.
I looked at some on ebay, but the price is still higher than what I'd be willing to pay for a phone for my dd, so she'll have to settle for her $80 re-manufactured Droid Inc. (I say that jokingly, she'll be very happy to have ANY smartphone!).
Right now I do the $12 on PP plan for my phone, and I would get an iPhone for myself, but I don't want to upgrade to the $55 a month plan. I wonder if you can activate (even now unofficially) an iPhone with just the $12 plan?

 

[robinb]

Right now I do the $12 on PP plan for my phone, and I would get an iPhone for myself, but I don't want to upgrade to the $55 a month plan. I wonder if you can activate (even now unofficially) an iPhone with just the $12 plan?

PP=Page Plus? I thought that people activated iPhones on PP. Check over on the Howard Forums to be sure. My DD wants a smart phone too and I was thinking about getting her a Droid Galaxy S and the turning OFF the data but turning ON the wi-fi.

 

[RitaE]

I read something yesterday about Verizon announcing that the iPhone 4 & 4S will be available on their pre-paid plan and I immediately thought that might mean Page Plus will be officially allowing it too.
I looked at some on ebay, but the price is still higher than what I'd be willing to pay for a phone for my dd, so she'll have to settle for her $80 re-manufactured Droid Inc. (I say that jokingly, she'll be very happy to have ANY smartphone!).
Right now I do the $12 on PP plan for my phone, and I would get an iPhone for myself, but I don't want to upgrade to the $55 a month plan. I wonder if you can activate (even now unofficially) an iPhone with just the $12 plan?

I don't think I've ever heard of anybody doing that with Page Plus.

I do know somebody who says has an iPhone on the ATT Go Phone system and she has cellular data turned off. So it only gets data when she's connected to WiFi and then she pays the cheap minutes for talk.

I have to say the iPhone 4s secondary market is crazy high in prices right now. I've been watching EBAY and I'm resisting extending our contracts with subsidized phones.

 

[luvmy3]

PP=Page Plus? I thought that people activated iPhones on PP. Check over on the Howard Forums to be sure. My DD wants a smart phone too and I was thinking about getting her a Droid Galaxy S and the turning OFF the data but turning ON the wi-fi.

They do, but officially the iPhone isn't allowed on PP (page plus) so it is subject to de-activation at any time. There is probably a slim chance of that happening, but I'd rather just wait until its allowed so I know there wouldn't be any problems.

I have the data turned off on my phone and use wi-fi when available. I just switch the data on if I'm out an about and need it. I'll be doing the same for my dd when I give her her phone.

 

[luvmy3]

I don't think I've ever heard of anybody doing that with Page Plus.

I do know somebody who says has an iPhone on the ATT Go Phone system and she has cellular data turned off. So it only gets data when she's connected to WiFi and then she pays the cheap minutes for talk.

I have to say the iPhone 4s secondary market is crazy high in prices right now. I've been watching EBAY and I'm resisting extending our contracts with subsidized phones.

I'd turn my data off and use wi-fi and only the data if I needed it. I don't really use my phone alot, even for talking and texting, but I'd love to have my Ipod built into it since I always forget to bring that out with me. However, seeing how high the prices are for a 4S or even a 4 I think I'll just try real hard to remember it

 

[luvmy3jewels]

I just did a quote on the Verizon website for 2 iPhone 5 16GB with 1GB of shared data, unlimited talk, unlimited text. It is $400 for the phones and then $130 a month.

If you went with the iPhone 4 or 4s the phone would be free but you wouldn't be on the LTE network.

All of those options would require a 2 Year contract

There actually is one cheaper data plan but I ignored it because with an iPHone I have to think you'll use at least 500MB each a month. (1GB total)

----
If you went with one of the Prepaid Phone plans the first difference is you'd have to buy your own phone up front. I don't think you can use the iPhone 5 on any of them yet --- you'd have to use the iPhone 4 or 4s.

The cost would be $55 each ($110 total) on the PagePlus plan (2GB data, unlimited talk and text). PagePlus uses the Verizon network. Right now the iPhones aren't officially allowed but there are scores of people who have activated their iPhone 4/4s devices on PagePlus.

Or $45 each on Straight Talk ($90 a month) (ATT network) Straight Talk advertises unlimited data but in truth they throttle the phones down when you go over 2GB.

The HUGE advantage of these prepaid plan is the no commitment/no contract aspect. You pay for your own phone upfront but you can cancel or leave at anytime.

A good place to research is
http://www.howardforums.com/forums.php

Thanks Rita! I knew that the numbers dh was quoting seemed exhorbitant. I think he must have made a mistake somewhere when he got his on-line quote from Verizon.

 

[JB2K]

Or $45 each on Straight Talk ($90 a month) (ATT network) Straight Talk advertises unlimited data but in truth they throttle the phones down when you go over 2GB.

While that sounds somewhat "heavy-handed", it really isn't...

I use an Android device over Net10 (both Net10 and Straight Talk are owned by Tracfone/America Movil) and I am a daily data user (though once the phone is home for the day, it accesses data from my Wi-Fi network) -- I am yet to get near 2GB (or even 1GB, for that matter).

Basically, so long as you don't watch HD video on Netflix/YouTube when you're out and about, the 2GB cap is no big deal...

 

[MrsDoubtfire]

While that sounds somewhat "heavy-handed", it really isn't...

I use an Android device over Net10 (both Net10 and Straight Talk are owned by Tracfone/America Movil) and I am a daily data user (though once the phone is home for the day, it accesses data from my Wi-Fi network) -- I am yet to get near 2GB (or even 1GB, for that matter).

Basically, so long as you don't watch HD video on Netflix/YouTube when you're out and about, the 2GB cap is no big deal...

With regard to the 2GB of data ... I pay $20 per month for a 2GB data plan thru TMobile, and do not use anywhere near that per month. I mostly use wifi when in the house, do not use my phone while at work, stream music while in the car (Pandora or Songza), hardly ever look at You Tube and do not stream movies. As a matter of fact, my DH uses even less than me - I think I'll downgrade his data plan to 200MB for $10 per month. For us 2GB is way more than enough. When I upgrade DD14 to a droid - she will be getting the 200MB of data.

 

[DawnM]

I have an iphone 4, purchased from a friend who upgraded to the 5. I paid $150 for it.

I have Straight Talk for $45/mo unlimited everything.

Dawn

I'm sorry to hijack this thread, but out of curiosity does anyone know how much a plan for one (or two) iphones cost a month? My dh told me last week he had priced two iphones for us and it was going to cost over $200 a month for the two of us. That seemed crazy to me and looking at what you guys are posting for adding an iphone to an existing plan is making me scratch my head. I'm thinking maybe he wasn't looking at the right thing or something.