Looking for a decent phone

[hat]

I've grown out of my tracfone after all these years. I thought I could go halfway and stay with tracfone and avoid a new monthly bill by getting one of their newer phones, but it only ended in frustration. The web browser is garbage, even following links to featured mobile sites on their home page I will run into a problem where it says "page too large, use mobile site" and crap out, not to mention it's about half as fast as a 56K connection. The phone literally, free of hyperbole takes over 5 minutes to load my MP3 playlist, and while listening to it I can't "attempt" to browse the web or send text messages.

Seems like everyone and their mother has an iPhone, and I was considering going that way but I can't bring myself to do it. After hearing about massive bills (like $120 a month), and then remembering that you're so locked out of the phone that you can't even take the battery out and how Apple makes everything proprietary to them—special cables with proprietary ends specific to their stuff, I decided against it.

What I'm looking for here is something that can actually browse the web, load my playlist in less time than it takes for Pluto to revolve around the sun, play music while allowing me to browse the web and text, and can handle some games to keep me somewhat away from the cold clutches of boredom during certain days at work when I don't do anything. I also want to be able to use any carrier, since I'm thinking of going with a cheap one like boost mobile. They have a $50/mo unlimited everything plan, I think I can stomach that.

 

[BiggieShady]

For your usage I would suggest an Android phone with removable battery and microSD card slot ... Samsng Galaxy S3 is fine phone and should become cheaper soon with S4 around the corner.

 

[Fourstaff]

Google Nexus 4 if you can stand the drawbacks like lack of microSD etc. For its specs its pretty cheap and powerful.

 

[CJCerny]

Straighttalk SIM card then insert in smart phone of your choice. Great low priced option.

 

[hat]

The Nexus 4 does indeed look like a good choice. One of my friends keeps pushing it on me every day, telling me I need one. With 8 or 16GB internal storage I don't think I'll miss the microSD card much... my current phone can only handle up to a 4GB mSD card.

Looks like I'm looking at straighttalk or boost mobile. ST would be $45 a month and Boost would be $50, but Boost goes down to $35 eventually if you stay in good standing with your payments. I guess it's up to the quality of the networks to decide this one.

 

[netieb]

Hi I don't know how much money you would like to spend but i got a Oppo Find 5 a month ago and it's a really good phone with up to date Hardware. There is a 16GB and 32GB model available and works on all US Carriers and European. You can order it from
http://oppostyle.com/ .

I has got a:
Full HD display better than the Xperia Z one
The same S4 Pro Quadcore Cpu like the Nexus 4
HSPA+ (sadly no LTE)
Runs Android Jelly Bean 4.1.2
and more

There is already CM 10.1 support with a experimental build
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2238512
and support from the Company itself with there forum.
http://www.oppoforums.com/

Here a Review form MKBHD: Oppo Find 5 Review! - YouTube
Right now they are working on an total Software overhaul: Oppo Find 5 Project Firefly! - YouTube

Thank you for reading.

 

[Fourstaff]

Find 5 looks quite good but you are looking at 60% higher price

 

[WhiteLotus]

Google Nexus 4 if you can stand the drawbacks like lack of microSD etc. For its specs its pretty cheap and powerful.

The Nexus 4 does indeed look like a good choice. One of my friends keeps pushing it on me every day, telling me I need one. With 8 or 16GB internal storage I don't think I'll miss the microSD card much... my current phone can only handle up to a 4GB mSD card.

Looks like I'm looking at straighttalk or boost mobile. ST would be $45 a month and Boost would be $50, but Boost goes down to $35 eventually if you stay in good standing with your payments. I guess it's up to the quality of the networks to decide this one.

I've got the nexus four and personally I think it's brilliant bit of kit that rivals the Apple and Samsung offerings. It's also half the price than the iPhone/Galaxy so for me it's a no brainer.

I got the 8GB one though, and I do wished I got the 16GB instead, or that it comes with a microSD slot but never mind.

 

[T3RM1N4L D0GM4]

I suggest LG Optimus L9 (P760) - 'cause I use it :
dual core cpu
1GB Ram
4.7" IPS screen (960x540)
Recently updated to Android JB (4.1.2)
4 GB internal storage (~2.5gb for user app/data) + SD Slot
Great battery life (2150 mA)

Cons:
No light sensor
No led notification

price: < 250€

 

[ueutyi]

Nexus 4

 

[TheLaughingMan]

This is in great shape and for sale here on the forums.

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=182813&highlight=Galaxy

 

[hat]

Well I already ordered the Nexus 4, so now I'm looking for advice about carriers. I'm looking at the $45 unlimited plan Straighttalk has.

A friend keeps suggesting this $30 a month plan T mobile has for unlimited texts, 5GB data and 100 talk minutes. He says he just uses google voice for talking and texting, that way it just goes through the data. I would prefer to avoid this sort of boondogglery myself and just use the network itself for this rather than going through google voice. AFAIK the $45 straighttalk unlimited everything plan looks like the best fit for me.

 

[WhiteLotus]

Well I already ordered the Nexus 4, so now I'm looking for advice about carriers. I'm looking at the $45 unlimited plan Straighttalk has.

A friend keeps suggesting this $30 a month plan T mobile has for unlimited texts, 5GB data and 100 talk minutes. He says he just uses google voice for talking and texting, that way it just goes through the data. I would prefer to avoid this sort of boondogglery myself and just use the network itself for this rather than going through google voice. AFAIK the $45 straighttalk unlimited everything plan looks like the best fit for me.

Well how often do you talk to people and text people now? And on top of that using 5GB of data on a phone is pretty hard to do unless you plan on downloading/streaming videos through it and not WiFi.