What 'cell' phone to get?

steviem · May 4, 2011

So I have finally moved to New York!

Now I need to find out what to do in terms of a phone though. Of course, I'd love to get an iPhone, but I can't see that happening whilst I don't have an american credit history and don't have a social security number yet.

With this in mind, I'm thinking maybe something on Boost Mobile or MetroPCS, but I'm not sure who to go with.

Also, I'm not sure, do I go with a Smartphone which may not be as good as my crappy UK Android Smartphone (which doesn't work with US 3G bands), a BB Curve or maybe a feature phone + iPod Touch?

Another thing could be an iPod Touch and a Mifi, but I'm not sure.

Xeperu · May 4, 2011

Import unlocked phone from another country.

Get sim only contract.

Done.

steviem · May 4, 2011

Ok, next question - I have an unlocked phone I can't find any decent sim only deals. Did you read my first part of 'no contracts'?

Also lets add in another criteria - I have a budget of $200 for the phone

notjustjay · May 4, 2011

How about a Pay-As-You-Go (prepaid) plan? Usually those don't require contracts or credit checks. AT&T GoPhone, for example. I've heard of people activating iPhones on that service, though officially that's not allowed.

velocityg4 · May 4, 2011

steviem said:
Ok, next question - I have an unlocked phone I can't find any decent sim only deals. Did you read my first part of 'no contracts'?

Also lets add in another criteria - I have a budget of $200 for the phone

For month to month service, rather than the 1 year to 2 year contracts, you can select SIM Card only with both TMobile and AT&T. You can also do this with many small local GSM providers. However your you will only get 3G internet with AT&T as T-Mobile uses non standard frequencies (unless of course your phone is compatible with those frequencies). I don't know of any small GSM providers that offer 3G.

TMobile SIM
AT&T SIM

Both companies list these as no commitment. I use TMobile for my iPhone this way. Unfortunately it seems TMobile no longer offer the $10 unlimited web plan for EDGE only devices. If you don't need a data plan and want to save money go with TMobile as they will not force you into a data plan like AT&T may.

steviem · May 4, 2011

Awesome, thank you! It'd be stupid for me to stop using my phone and lay down $200 when I have a device already...

wordoflife · May 4, 2011

Welcome to the US.

I would go with this for a little bit until you get yourself sorted out here.
http://www.virginmobileusa.com/cell-phones/lg-optimus-v-phone.jsp

$25/mo for 300 minutes, unlimited texts, unlimited data, Android 2.2. Not an iPhone, but Android isn't too bad and has a lot of apps. Virgin Mobile runs off Sprint's network so it's pretty good. Not bad for $25 with a nominal tax of $2-3.

Be careful with that T-Mobile link that velocityg4 posted. That 'free' SIM comes with a two year contract. T-Mobile is out of their mind if they think anyone is going to sign a 2 year contract for a SIM card.

It's important to know that you might not get 3G service and be limited to Edge speeds if you use your current device if using T-Mobile. I haven't found a better deal per month than Virgin Mobile so I would really recommend looking into that.

Tomorrow · May 4, 2011

steviem said:
Ok, next question - I have an unlocked phone I can't find any decent sim only deals. Did you read my first part of 'no contracts'?

Also lets add in another criteria - I have a budget of $200 for the phone

First, welcome to America!

I didn't actually see anything in your first post about "no contracts," but if I may ask, why the aversion? Are you not staying here long enough to ride one out?

steviem · May 4, 2011

Thanks! It's been a long wait so kind of odd (in a good way) that I'm here at last.

Well as I'm a newbie here, any credit history from the UK is pretty much wiped away. So it's not really my aversion to a contract, but phone companies aversions to me! My fiancée has a phone with Sprint, so another alternative is for her to get me a plan with her...

rickywarner · May 4, 2011

Now day i am using Nokia N868mp. It is very nice phone. It provide eight mega pixel and with other good facility.

velocityg4 · May 5, 2011

wordoflife said:
Welcome to the US.
I would go with this for a little bit until you get yourself sorted out here.
http://www.virginmobileusa.com/cell-phones/lg-optimus-v-phone.jsp

$25/mo for 300 minutes, unlimited texts, unlimited data, Android 2.2. Not an iPhone, but Android isn't too bad and has a lot of apps. Virgin Mobile runs off Sprint's network so it's pretty good. Not bad for $25 with a nominal tax of $2-3.

Be careful with that T-Mobile link that velocityg4 posted. That 'free' SIM comes with a two year contract. T-Mobile is out of their mind if they think anyone is going to sign a 2 year contract for a SIM card.

It's important to know that you might not get 3G service and be limited to Edge speeds if you use your current device if using T-Mobile. I haven't found a better deal per month than Virgin Mobile so I would really recommend looking into that.

I didn't notice that. Those sneaky bastards must have changed the system since I bought my sim cards a year ago.

Now you have to get a prepaid sim card for T-Mobile and select a month to month plan. They do not have an unlimited data option for this. It seems the AT&T buyout is causing massive rate increases and dirty tricks at T-Mobile

.

It use to be that you chose month to month or 2 year agreement with a subsidized phone. The plan options were the same with a $10 a month premium on subsidized phones.

Here are the prepaid monthly plans.
https://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/prepaid-plans.aspx

Search

Search

What 'cell' phone to get?

steviem

macrumors 68020

Xeperu

macrumors 6502

steviem

macrumors 68020

notjustjay

macrumors 603

velocityg4

macrumors 604

steviem

macrumors 68020

wordoflife

macrumors 604

Tomorrow

macrumors 604

steviem

macrumors 68020

rickywarner

macrumors newbie

velocityg4

macrumors 604

Our Staff