OK, believe it or not I have never had a cell phone before. My wife carries one that is old and has only the most basic service to use for emergencies. The new car we just got works with a smartphone/bluetooth capable cell. I'm not even sure what that means but figure it's time to get my feet wet. Not looking to spend a ton of money as I'm not really sure how much I'll use it but don't really know where to start. I know many of my friends use Verizon service and say it's the most dependable. Is that true? What's the best all around cell phone to get? I'm looking for something with calling/texting, voice mail, decent camera, video, internet connection, etc.
That's really a shame. They were once on the cutting edge of technology.
Here's how it goes:
I spend 95% of my time in locations where I already have internet. So I pay $10 mo to use the Sprint network for wireless calling and texting (unlimited). The Moto X is programmed to automatically use WiFi when accessible. So it routes all calls through the WiFi (VOIP) which is great, crystal clear calling. When I get outside that area (which most days is only when I'm driving in my car) I don't have internet, but the phone still works for calling and texting.
When I make trips and know I will want to have cellular internet, I can upgrade my service and am only charged a pro-rated amount, depending on how long I keep it at that rate. The rate for unlimited 4G data is $40 a month (again, on the Sprint network, and it drops to 3G after 5GB of data).
I recently took a trip - drove from Sun Valley Idaho through Reno/Tahoe into Sacramento - then SFO and back. I had better signal coverage throughout than my son who was traveling with me. I'm not sure why, but I was able to pick up on other (non-Sprint) networks and it simply said "nationwide roaming", and I wasn't charged any extra during the trip. Since the trip was only a few days, I was only charged something like $5 extra for having the WiFi coverage during those days, so my service ran something like $15 for the month.
There is no contract with this company - the plan is month-to-month and you can quit anytime. Like most pre-paid plans the phone has to be purchased upfront. The good news is that Republic Wireless gives you a discount on the phone anyway. The current 16 GB Moto X is yours for $299, and the smaller 8 GB Moto G is $149. Obviously the phones are not meant to compete with $700 phones that are barely being released, but the Moto X is only about 7 months from its release date and is a nice phone. You can also upgrade the Moto G to a 16 GB version for $30 - so $179.
I had my daughters sell their ipods and buy the Moto G's this week (they just came out 17th of April) and they are so excited to get them in. I referred them so they got an automatic $20 discount, so their 16GB phones only ran them $159. After a month I'll get a $20 credit for each of them as well (which will basically cover the first two months of calling for me on each of them).
I highly recommend you check it out. You can do it for 30 days with no risk - you can return the phone if you find it isn't working for you. If you do decide to keep the phone and later decide you want to sell your phone there is a catch. It can ONLY be used on the Republic Wireless network. However the good news is that you should be able to recover some of your sunk costs into the phone on the secondary market, as a used RW phone can be activated on the network for no fees at all. In fact, if the up front costs are prohibitive for you, buying a used phone may be a better way for you to go.
If you decide you want to buy, please consider buying through the link I'm giving you below. It will give you a $20 discount, and give me $20 if you stay with them for more than 30 days.
Thanks, and good luck!
Click here for a great deal on wireless... - ( New Window )
What are you basing this on? The moto X and my droid maxx are both motorola and they are the best phones ive ever had.
The only downside is that you have to buy the phone yourself, out of pocket. But they have some pretty inexpensive phones that you can start out with.
For light to moderate phone users, Ting is the best deal going.
Link - ( New Window )
As for the phone; Unless you're looking for a high end smartphone, it probably doesn't matter what you get. Probably just look for the best deal you can get. You'll be getting rid of it in a year anyway.
I had sprint for 10 years and mostly because the price was real cheap, but then their rates increased the last 3 years and the gap in price went from like 100 dollars a month to 30 dollars a month compared to verizon on a 4 line family plan.
We switched to Verizon last year, pay slightly more but I finally have reliable internet service on my phone so its worth it
As for the phone; Unless you're looking for a high end smartphone, it probably doesn't matter what you get. Probably just look for the best deal you can get. You'll be getting rid of it in a year anyway.
Um, since a 2 year agreement is pretty much standard, he won't be getting rid of it in a year.
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from Motorola phones. they are garbage.
What are you basing this on? The moto X and my droid maxx are both motorola and they are the best phones ive ever had.
Personal experience? What else is there?
Personal experience? What else is there?
Ratings based on the personal experiences of many, many people, combined with professional reviews. One person can have a bad experience with an excellent product, or vice-versa.
Quote:
What are you basing this on? The moto X and my droid maxx are both motorola and they are the best phones ive ever had.
Personal experience? What else is there?
Ratings based on the personal experiences of many, many people, combined with professional reviews. One person can have a bad experience with an excellent product, or vice-versa.
Sorry, but i'm not the only one who feels this way.