Smart phones - are they worth it?

[DINKDisneyAddict]

My husband and I each have EVOs, and we absolutely love them. We do get a discount through work, so that definitely helps. We were also able to drop our home internet and home phone when we switched over. We get internet access through our phones, so it was almost a wash monetarily for us. AND, now we also have HS internet anywhere we go. Well worth it for us! Could we live without it? Yes, but we don't want to.

 

[herdtoDisney]

I guess if you would use and enjoy the features, they are worth it...I'm not interested, so for me it wouldn't be. I have computers at home, I have a separate GPS already, and I can't use smartphone features and work at my job at the same time (due to the nature of my job).

My regular cellphone (I blocked data, we have unlimited text, family plan) has calendars, notepads and all that stuff. I have friends who have smartphones and love them, so for them, it's worth it. But for me, it would be fairly redundant with stuff I already have.

 

[Bell30012]

My thoughts were that I didn't NEED a smart phone. Then in 2006 my work issued me a BlackBerry. It didn't take long until I found that I was using it a lot. Then, my work decided to save money and eliminate the corporate phones and give us a monthly credit instead.

I quickly found myself reaching for my BlackBerry holster only to come up empty handed. I gave in and bought an iPhone after only a month. That iPhone has become an extension of me. I love it, need it and don't ever want to be without it.

 

[npmommie]

Can you actually connect to the web with this? I had heard or read somewhere that you can only access the tracfone website but not other websites or email. I'm considering ordering it for my DD but wasn't sure on the internet stuff.

yes you can connect to the web, any website, and email.
I have only used the feature a couple times so far, just to see.

I wanted to add, I don't know what smartphones are like, but for the amount I would use this phone, this one is perfect for me.
I have an itouch as well, and almost sprang for an iphone, but couldn't justify the monthly cost when I only use it minimally.

 

[DawnM]

I would love one, but it isn't worth it to me as my bill would go up too much. Sigh.

I may look into a Virgin Mobile at some point, but would keep my plan as well since I get unlimited nights and weekends and Sprint to Sprint.

I would much prefer an iphone though.

DH has a blackberry for work and will switch to an iphone in Dec. I love using his when we go on vacation, etc.....

Dawn

 

[bartleby1]

yes you can connect to the web, any website, and email.
I have only used the feature a couple times so far, just to see.

I wanted to add, I don't know what smartphones are like, but for the amount I would use this phone, this one is perfect for me.
I have an itouch as well, and almost sprang for an iphone, but couldn't justify the monthly cost when I only use it minimally.

Thanks for the response! That is awesome! I may even consider upgrading my tracfone. I know I wouldn't use the smartphone portion often, but it would be nice to be able to check for emails from the kids teachers, coaches, etc when I'm out and about. I only spend roughly $8-$9 per month on my regular tracfone now, so I can't see spending the monthly amount on a regular smartphone plan, but this seems perfect for me and for my DD.

Thanks again!

 

[Bill and Jen]

I read this this thread and entered this reply on my smartphone (HTC Thunderbolt) Enough said!

 

[Mom2Ben02]

Let's see...here is what my phone (Motorola Atrix, from AT&T via Costco) has saved me...

-GAS BUDDY..I regularly save 10-20 cents a gallon on gas by searching. Today, for instance, I am driving a long distance. I will need to fill up, so I searched gas prices near home and near my destination. Home is 40 cents cheaper.

-Yard Sale Finder...so cool. It uses gps and listings from CL to point you to the nearest garage sales. I buy and resell a lot, so I then use my phone to pull up resale prices online to see if it is worth it to buy an item. I recently went to a sale that had a AeroGarden for $10. Almost passed it up, but checked and saw they were going for $50-60 in my area. chaaaa-ching.

-recipe apps...I use several, and it is soooo nice not to have to guess what is in something at the store.

-Cozi. best.app.ever. It is a family organizer. I have it on the phone and computer. I can add on shopping lists, to-do lists, appts and access them anywhere. My son had a therapist app, I was at work and forgot to tell DH. The app sent him a reminder, saving us a $50 cancellation fee.

That all being said, DH does NOT have one. He wanted one after using mine, but he has a prepaid cell that he rarely uses. We figured it out, and bought him an iPod Touch. That way he has his apps and games, but not a monthly fee.

 

[gracie1]

I think the best thing about it is the navigation system. I love that And have used it many times. The only thing is it will drain the battery, and mine will not charge when using the navigation

 

[HsvTeacher]

I wasn't thrilled about spending the money on my iphone and the data plan for it, but my mind was changed a few weeks ago.

When we had tornado damage in our area a few weeks ago, there was no power, no internet, and no landline phones for DAYS. Getting a cell phone signal was spotty, at best. However, we were able to use our iphones to send out emails, check for updates on damage, find out what stores were open, etc. (We could get a 3G signal most of the time.) Those phones were pretty much our link to the outside world.

During that time, our iphones were priceless!

 

[dturner]

I have the Samsung Intercept (bought at Best Buy for $250.00 got a $40.00 gift card) on the Virgin Mobile plan with unlimited text, internet and 300 minutes a month which is ok for me as I don't talk on the phone that much for $25.00/month. If you use up all your minutes before the month is up you can just restart your month early.

 

[disneysuncat]

I had a BlackBerry for the last two years and while I liked it, I didn't really use all of the features. At least not much. It was time for my renewal, and I wanted the HTC Evo, but didn't want to spring for the $199, and while it's a 4G phone, we don't have 4G service here in the boondocks. I got the free LG Optimus S Android (3G, we finally do have 3G here in my area of KY) instead, thinking if I didn't like it, I would send it back within the first month. I love love love the LG Optimus! It's a million times better than my BlackBerry, and amazingly fast. I love one of the eBay apps, as I sell (and buy) a lot there. I like how my phone buzzes when something on my watch list is getting near the auction end, and I can bid right on the phone.

I really love the convenience of the features/apps.

 

[crazelion]

I wasn't thrilled about spending the money on my iphone and the data plan for it, but my mind was changed a few weeks ago.

When we had tornado damage in our area a few weeks ago, there was no power, no internet, and no landline phones for DAYS. Getting a cell phone signal was spotty, at best. However, we were able to use our iphones to send out emails, check for updates on damage, find out what stores were open, etc. (We could get a 3G signal most of the time.) Those phones were pretty much our link to the outside world.

During that time, our iphones were priceless!

I could believe that my cell phone through the tornado. When I had no power, no landlines at all.

 

[bridget]

I have an iphone, but I just have the $15 a month data plan, and I've never gone over my 200MB. I usually have acess to wifi. I don't watch tv/videos or download stuff, if I'm not by wifi.

Here's what I like/love
Internet access anywhere. One thing I do use it quite a bit is when I'm shopping to check manufacturer's websites for gluten free food (my daughter can't have gluten...and we're very careful about what she eats).

Runkeeper app(free)..keeps track of milage when I'm running or biking
Gas Buddy app(free)..cheapest gas prices in town
Lose it app (free)...diet app where you can log your food
google maps (great for directions when you are traveling...don't need to have a GPS)

Plus I have games like scrabble, angry birds, words with friends, uno, etc. These keep me busy while I'm waiting at places

I have math games and other games for children that my children love.

 

[KY*Figment]

I use mine a lot. I have my personal e-mail, joint e-mail, & work e-mail. My work program is web based so I can do quick things. I also do travel and I use the GPS on it. I have music downloaded as a MP3 payer. I really like my phone but it has made me a Facebook addict. Good luck.

 

[Lucille1963]

-Yard Sale Finder...so cool. It uses gps and listings from CL to point you to the nearest garage sales. I buy and resell a lot, so I then use my phone to pull up resale prices online to see if it is worth it to buy an item. I recently went to a sale that had a AeroGarden for $10. Almost passed it up, but checked and saw they were going for $50-60 in my area. chaaaa-ching.

I buy and resell too. I love having a smart phone for the map features. I can put in a basic word like "thrift", "resale", "antique", etc and get the stores plotted on a map. It is fantastic when I'm in an unfamiliar area. It definitely more than pays for itself each month!

 

[Zalittle]

Smart phones are a dime a dozen. There are many different carriers and plans. If you are looking for a budget phone then perhaps a Walmart phone is right down your alley. They have low-end phones as well as a Blackberry,

They have 2 plans 35.00 a month with no contract. 1000 texts, 1000 minutes, and a limited data plan.
The second plan is 45.00 a month with unlimited text, minutes, and data.

There is no contract so nothing to get locked into.

It may not be the option you want, but is is affordable.
Good Luck and I hope you find what you need.

 

[gr8tdame]

Hi,
i was seriously thinking about getting a smart phone, I love my apple computer and laptop.
Instead I got an Apple I-touch 4. It does everything the I -phone does except make phone calls. It has wifi and I am on the internet for free almost everywhere and not stuck with a contract.
My dh is thinking of buying me the Ipad with 3g for my birthday.