What is your favorite no contract smart phone?

[MomtoGKC]

We are getting my DD a phone for her birthday. I am having a hard time deciding which one to go with that is budget but has the features she would like. Her dream is an IPhone but that is not happening! She would like a touch screen, a camera and would especially love a camera that goes both ways so she could video chat with friends and family, but that seems like it is hard to find.

So far I'm looking at Virgin Mobile because it seems like I can get the best monthly prices - $35 for unlimited text & data plus about 300 minutes (she'll use mostly for text & data.) I don't love the review on a lot of their phones though.

Anything out there that you guys love? Or any way to get her an IPhone that is not $100 a month?

 

[dgr1973]

My dd has a Virgin Mobile smart phone and she loves it. She can do things with it that even her friends with Iphone's can't do(they dont have unlimted web like she does) Have never had a problem with it except the battery runs down pretty quick but I think that's how all smart phones are.

 

[PumpkinQueen]

I have recently purchased my current phone, an LG Optimus V, and loving it! I had switched from my old unlimited everything contract with Verizon to the VM plan that you're considering with 300 minutes. Honestly I think it's an amazing deal, hands down. I have found some drawbacks with VM smartphones, but they're easy to overcome.

• The Optimus' battery lasts no where near what I'm used to through a regular phone, but that's the price you must pay for all you can do through it. This can easily be negated by charging it every night and possibly installing a battery management app. An additional heads up if you're considering the Optimus or other VM smartphone, it does take awhile to charge, around 2-3 hours through an outlet and even longer through a usb.
• I've had a rare issue with echoing when calling out from my phone, but like I said it only happens around once in 20 calls if that. Since you're DD is going to be using it mostly for the data and texting I don't see this as much of an issue for you. My service for both has been very speedy.

I'd say overall VM smartphones are decent first smartphones, and with the plans and pricing that they're offering, it's hard to turn down. Not to mention having no contract sweetens the deal. Good luck on your search for the right phone!

 

[HM]

My kids both have VM phones (and have for years). DD has a Blackberry and DS has some other Android based one. They have had very few problems with them and when we have, VM customer service has been very good. We like that they don't cost very much a month too.

 

[okeydokey]

What kind of coverage do you get with the VM phones for calls? I had a T Mobile pay as you go for a while, but the coverage was awful.

 

[eeyoreforever]

I asked this same question just a few days ago. You may want to read the replies on that thread as well.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2872106

I hope I did that right

I've decided to go with Virgin Mobile and get the Optimus V phone.

 

[MomtoGKC]

Thanks - I got the new Optimus Slider since I was already familiar with Virgin from my first phone. I think she will be pretty surprised because I was NOT planning on getting her a phone until recently.

 

[jme829]

We are getting my DD a phone for her birthday. I am having a hard time deciding which one to go with that is budget but has the features she would like. Her dream is an IPhone but that is not happening! She would like a touch screen, a camera and would especially love a camera that goes both ways so she could video chat with friends and family, but that seems like it is hard to find.

So far I'm looking at Virgin Mobile because it seems like I can get the best monthly prices - $35 for unlimited text & data plus about 300 minutes (she'll use mostly for text & data.) I don't love the review on a lot of their phones though.

Anything out there that you guys love? Or any way to get her an IPhone that is not $100 a month?

WHo's your provider? DD18 has an iphone and with our Verizon family share plan and the basic data pack hers is only $40 a month ($9.99 for the unlimited text plan, 700 shared minutes and $30 for the data package) . She is on it ALL THE TIME and she has more than enough data. (she doesn't call much, mostly text and internet), plus when you are in a wi-fi location, the "plan" will actually switch over to the wi-fi, so you're not using your data package.

Maybe see if you provider offers something like that.

The phone itself was pricey (I think $200 but she bought it herself and pays the $30, we pay the $9.99) but we did it this way because it would have been over $100 for her to go on her own plan.