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Originally Posted by Neal Stevens
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Ok, so for your number, please talk to your carrier. You should be able to keep it.
I suggest possibly waiting a bit, since right now, most US carriers outside AT&T and Verizon don't really have any really compelling lower end offerings.
Now why do I suggest you wait a bit? well lets consider the common smartphone platforms:
Blackberry and Windows Phone is no go right now, since they will both shortly release new offerings, and current phones will not be upgradeable.
There is a big slew of new andriods coming soon (Verizon is your carrier if you want andriod, they have the best devices).
Only the iPhone is worth buying right now (the iPhone will remain at its price untill a month before they release the next one).
Assuming that you do not want the iPhone, than it is a good idea to wait untill the holiday season swings in (unless you really need a phone now).
Now a few tips from me:
1. Don't skimp on the phone
You will be using this device every day for the next 2 years, don't skimp on the phone. Get something good, with update potential, and most of all, good build quality. And here is the thing, if you want decent amounts of data, the price of the phone is really nothing. After all, data is INSAINLY expansive, and after paying for it for 2 years or so, the money you spend on the phone seems insignificant.
2. If you don't want data (or if you are going T-mobile), don't sign a plan.
Hey, if you just want a smartphone, without data, buy it off contract and use pay as you go. Or if you are on T-mobile, they will discount your plan if you bring your phone. However, if you want lots of fast data, than maybe signing a plan is a good choice.
3. When buying andriod, DO NOT buy a phone with Gingerbread(2.3)
I cannot stress this enough, buying an Andriod with Gingerbread this late in the game is NOT a good idea. Gingerbread is 2 versions behind the latest, and thus, many apps (like chrome for example) do not work. Also, trust me, 4.* is a LOT better than 2.*
4. Always check ebay
Hey, there are lots of great brand new phones being sold on ebay daily, you might as well try to buy one there. But remember to check if it works on your carrier.
Now my recommendations:
If you would like T-mobile:
HTC One S:
http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/Phones/...-Gradient-Blue
This is a top of the line phone under 4.6 inches. The specs inside are absolutely top of the line, and most of all, it ships with Android 4.0, with a 4.1 upgrade coming soon.
You should expect to pay around 400$ for it off contract.
If you would like Virgin Mobile:
HTC one V:
http://www.virginmobileusa.com/shop/...hone/features/
The one S's little brother. The specs are much weaker, but unlike most other budget handsets, you get Android 4.0 (with a good chance of a future 4.1 update)
Expect to pay around $200.
If you would like AT&T:
Get the Atrix HD:
http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/dev...ern-white.html
This is a rarity, its a phone that is similarly specced against Verizon's Droid Razr HD, but cheaper. And most of all, smaller. Plus, now that Google owns Motorola Mobility, I find that motorola's phones are all pretty damned good software wise.
If you would like Verizon:
Verizon is the Android powerhouse. Lots of good handsets.
Lots of good devices:
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/s...edPhoneId=5892
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/s...edPhoneId=5947
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/s...edPhoneId=5845
If you would like Sprint:
Samsung Galaxy Victory:
http://shop.sprint.com/mysprint/shop...=dt_phones&ptn=
Its a rare good lower end device with good battery life, and thus, gets my recommendation.
PS: If you want data, get at least 1gb. You will burn through 30mb in 5 visits to Subsim.
PPS: For all carriers except Verizon and Sprint, check ebay for a phone. Lots of good phones available there, just that Verizon and Sprint probably won't let a phone you didn't buy from them on the network. Expect to pay 50% less than the list price.