Need a new phone

[DAKPluto]

Plenty of droids that are good, and plenty that are shit too. Again, I recommend checking out other people's phones and seeing what you like. General rule of thumb when it comes to the big droid companies:

Samsung: generally your largest and best screens. Good for tinkering. Uses lots of plastic on their cases. Seems sturdy but can make it "feel" cheap and fragile.

HTC: probably the best UI with Sense. Phones feel good and sturdy, although sometimes they use stuff like rubber that is either a love it or hate it. Puts in really underpowered stock batteries, expect to buy a new one to get a decent battery life.

Motorola: phones look and feel fancy, more metal. Battery life is bad to so-so normally. UI is generally panned though and lots of people just downright hate their UI compared to other offerings.

Sony/Ericison: Actually pretty underrated phones. Well priced for what you get. Internals feel a little behind the time, but generally cheaper. good value.

[Mafai]

Also, Verizon is now adjusting its data plan to 4GB for new/existing customers that upgrade.

t should be no surprise to you at this point that the Droid Razr is about to be one big gigantic deal for both Verizon and Motorola what with its slick nature and LTE connectivity, and here’s another reason to get excited: a brand new double-data plan. Verizon will be starting a promotion on November 8th, 2011, in which both existing and new customers are eligible for double data plans. Those people getting a 2GB data plan now for $30 will soon be getting a 4GB data plan for that same $30.

[shukudai]

Maybe i'm crazy, but what's the turn off for iphone? I'm not apple crazy, but seems to me it's solid, has the least issues, android seems more for people who like to fiddle with their stuff. They can be expensive without plans.

[Seanr]

It's a great phone, I dunno, maybe wanting to avoid the "stigma" of being an iSheep? There are people who choose it without being sheeple mind you, and there are intelligent people using Apple product, but the general mass of people using the product....

[Not Kuno]

Also, Verizon is now adjusting its data plan to 4GB for new/existing customers that upgrade.

This sounds completely awesome and might be what I end up doing.

[Tymon]

This sounds completely awesome and might be what I end up doing.

Wait until Black Friday then, and pick up the Galaxy Nexus. It's looking now that they'll be launching web orders on November 21.

You'll be set for several years. I highly doubt you'll regret it.

[Vincento]

Wait until Black Friday then, and pick up the Galaxy Nexus. It's looking now that they'll be launching web orders on November 21.

You'll be set for several years. I highly doubt you'll regret it.

Considering it has a new version of the OS on a new phone for someone who's now stepping into the market, it might be best to wait at least a day for user reviews.

That Verizon upgrade sounds awesome. I hope there's no catch and it's as simple as they're stepping everyone with 2gb up to a 4gb plan.

Oh I see this site says you have to request the upgrade when it becomes available. Also, 10gb for $50 if you get it within the time period, shit I wonder if I should upgrade :/
http://venturebeat.com/2011/11/07/ve...-4g-data-plan/

[richardd]

I push well over 2gb a month easy, but I stream a ton of netflix over 3g. And that shit will eat up your data like crazy.

exactly. i shit out gb, really. i dont have many friends up here, and that will be my main thing i focus on. these data plans are absurd unless you're grandfathered in and only have to have about 30/month lol. i want to netflix, and spam youtube, too. but i LOATHE talking on the phone, and i dont text much either. its hard to find a reliable service that wont kill me in my wallet

[wyrmtung]

Avoid the Bionic like the plague, it's shit. Motorola just needs to give up on making droid phones.

Considering that Google is trying to buy Motorola currently, I don't think that's gonna happen.

Maybe i'm crazy, but what's the turn off for iphone? I'm not apple crazy, but seems to me it's solid, has the least issues, android seems more for people who like to fiddle with their stuff. They can be expensive without plans.

Gaming forums tend to have a greater proportion of members who use Windows, more inclined to build their PC, and like that same "freedom" with their phone. Gotta take it with a grain of salt.

[Not Kuno]

Wait until Black Friday then, and pick up the Galaxy Nexus. It's looking now that they'll be launching web orders on November 21.

Eh. I'm not the type that goes for newer shiney stuff. If it's older and it works I'm ok with it.

Also I asked people IRL and apparently the plan for 4gb/$30 is just for data, not calls. While probably 100% obvious to everyone in this thread, I am completely retarded with phones and have no idea what any of this shit actually means (aside from dollar signs and GB amounts). I really don't want to spend more than 40 or 50 a month. Apparently TMobile has a good plan w/o a contract but, I brought in a new phone to my room and it had 0-2 bars. 0 bars in the places where I usually leave my phone. What a piece of shit. Fucking tmobile.

[DAKPluto]

General rule of thumb about t-mobile....they like to make a name for themselves with fancy shiny phones, not their service.

[Ksandra]

General rule of thumb about t-mobile....they like to make a name for themselves with fancy shiny phones, not their service.

I have never had any issues with tmobile's service. Some areas get it, some don't, like most companies.

[edit] kuno I'd suggest since you're not sure what you want is to look into the pay as you go phones for various companies. The phones are usually meh (but that seems to not be the issue with you), but they are also usually cheaper rates and you aren't locked down into a contract.

I think you are a lot like me when it comes to phones btw. only reason I have a MyTouch is because my razor white-screened on me last year and tmobile gave the MyTouch to me for free.

warning though, most of the companies are going to tell you that you "have" to get an internet plan with these android phones. and the battery-life suck because there's so much shit running on them. regular phones are another matter.

[Not Kuno]

I currently have a pay as you go regular phone, but it is really old and shitty and I want to get something newer. I'd probably use it more if it ever worked or had features that do stuff.

[Seanr]

probably could have gotten in on this...
http://gizmodo.com/5857411/yup-that-...should-sign-up

TOP STORIES

DEALZMODO
BY CASEY CHAN NOV 8, 2011 9:23 AM 4,862 25 Share
Yup, That Unbelievable $19 Unlimited Data/Voice/Text Plan Is Mostly Real and You Should Sign Up
Remember Republic Wireless? The brand new carrier set to launch the unbelievable $19/month plan that would give users unlimited data, voice and text? Yeah! Well, they actually did it. Like for real. Like you can sign up right now for 19 bucks and never look back.

Republic Wireless can be so damn cheap because it routes its users to Wi-Fi for the majority of tasks and only jumps to 3G when necessary (aka when not next to a Wi-Fi network). In order to do that, Republic Wireless requires that all of their users use a special phone with special hardware. The first phone that'll work with Republic Wireless is the LG Optimus, a solid but unspectacular Android phone, which will cost $199 without a contract ($99 with special coupon code of 'welcome19') and include a free month of service. Pretty cheap for a phone that runs Android 2.3.

Every month thereafter is $19. Seriously, 19 bucks. If you're around Wi-Fi networks for most of the day, you should get this phone. If you don't really want a phone, get this phone. If you're buying a phone for your kid, get this phone.

What's the catch? Well, Republic Wireless will kick you off their network if you use too much data over 3G. Republic will calculate your Cellular Usage Index (CUI) and determine what your data usage is like compared to other people—skew too high and you'll get the boot. It's not an unreasonable system though, you'll be warned plenty before you get kicked out. Plus, it looks like you could use 550 minutes, 150 texts, and 300 MB of data over 3G (Wi-Fi use is unlimited) without even getting in trouble. That's not a lot but it seems incredibly fair for $19/month plus all the usage you can get on Wi-Fi too.

Republic Wireless isn't the be all, end all carrier—lack of phone options for one—but it certainly seems like a step in that direction. [Republic Wireless via TechCrunch]

[Not Kuno]

probably could have gotten in on this...
http://gizmodo.com/5857411/yup-that-...should-sign-up

Yeah that looks like it is pretty much what I want. Gonna do some more research but holy balls that is awesome.

[richardd]

i saw that on PC world and cnet. it sounds too good to be true. i guess it switches over to 3g whenever you're outside the vicinity of the wifi areas? this would be perfect for me. i live right near campus, and im near wifi hotspots damn near 24-7, but i dont know. there's going to be some kind of catch lol

[octopus]

From the article Seanr linked:

"Plus, it looks like you could use 550 minutes, 150 texts, and 300 MB of data over 3G (Wi-Fi use is unlimited)"

Otherwise you get kicked out.

[Seanr]

He said they're looking for a bare minimum use phone... that seems pretty much right up his ally

[Not Kuno]

Yeah I've been f5ing all day pretty much ready to get this phone when it's on sale. My biggest issue is that my room exists in a dark void, devoid of any sort of phone connectivity. By having it go to wifi mode at home that solves that. Also it's cheap as hell.

[Melena]

Kuno, if you work, check with your employer to see if they have any contracts with any of the cell companies. A lot of places, even stuff like Sears, Best Buy etc, employees can get 10-25% off there bills. They just don't advertise it. If they don't know ,call ATT/Verizon/Sprint and see what they say when you call them.