Best $200 Android 4.x for StraightTalk?

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s44

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 2006
9,427
16
81
If you're in the US just get one from T-Mobile. It totaled to $409 for me, that includes the ETF for the new contract I had to sign up for (and promptly cancel).
Yeah, did you see the reports that the CONTRACT price may now be $400? Perhaps because of people like you. :p
 

sjwaste

Diamond Member
Aug 2, 2000
8,757
12
81
I would take Note 2 over Nexus 4 if at the same price. Software support is important but Note 2 is unique phone without equal.

You know what, that's probably true, I think I'd go with a Note 2 if it were $349 unlocked. Definitely a unique device. But at that price, I'm really happy with the Nexus 4. About the only thing I'm really annoyed with is that I can't turn off vibrations for notifications individually - the setting just doesn't work. But that's why I have a Nexus device - I can just flash a ROM that fixes it and not lose the latest OS in fully functional form.
 

Remobz

Platinum Member
Jun 9, 2005
2,564
37
91
Nexus 4 8 gig out of stock? OH crap!!

I am going to USA next week and will leave Jan. 15th. 2013

So now I am screwed looks like:(
 

Nvidiaguy07

Platinum Member
Feb 22, 2008
2,846
4
81
It took 30 seconds to port cellphone number from verizon to straightalk for me.
I've been throttled twice in 3 months, and it took less than 2 minutes to un-throttle.
So far ST has been perfect for me. I don't want to deal with CS overseas so I keep the conversation to a minimum and it was smooth. I keep my GV# in GV. While I wait for a Nexus 4, I have an used Infuse running 4.2

If you are porting landlines/GV than expect some delays.

are you worried about ST dropping you and losing your number? (as a heavy user). I am still debating whether to just deal with google voice BS and port my number there instead of ST, but not having MMS sucks, and then you also have to deal with other BS.
 

Capt Caveman

Lifer
Jan 30, 2005
34,543
651
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are you worried about ST dropping you and losing your number? (as a heavy user). I am still debating whether to just deal with google voice BS and port my number there instead of ST, but not having MMS sucks, and then you also have to deal with other BS.

That's why I like having a GV and non GV number. And why I'm going thru the complicated process that I'm going thru now.

And after speaking to someone at ST and them leaving a vm on my online ticket both stating that my number port would be completed by 9:30am today, it still hasn't occurred. :(
 

Nvidiaguy07

Platinum Member
Feb 22, 2008
2,846
4
81
That's why I like having a GV and non GV number. And why I'm going thru the complicated process that I'm going thru now.

And after speaking to someone at ST and them leaving a vm on my online ticket both stating that my number port would be completed by 9:30am today, it still hasn't occurred. :(

thats what i do now, and i really only use my GV number as a backup and for vm. Not having mms is a huge deal breaker. I dont understand what is so hard about fixing this issue. GV has been around for so long with barely any updates. What the hell google!
 
Oct 9, 1999
19,632
38
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Get a used Galaxy Nexus. Still a very fast and capable phone that can run the latest version of android. Also if you like to play with 3rd party roms, it has a massive amount of development happening. Mine works great on StraightTalk. Personally I will only buy Nexus phones as its all about the software...

this. i just bought a used Gnex last week from vshah. this thing is AWESOME.

great camera, not sluggish at all and i'm running 4.2

bought a second one used for my dad the other day. also have 2 n4 16gb's on order. said 3-4 weeks. worst case i sell them if there's not a hug leap. the screen is almost too big. iphone 5 was too small for me but the gnex is seriously a great phone up to this day.
 

sjwaste

Diamond Member
Aug 2, 2000
8,757
12
81
Nexus phones are really putting some pricing pressure on other models. Even on FW now, there's a thread for an unlocked Atrix 2 4G for like $250 - the comments suggest to just buy a Nexus instead. I like it. I realize Google can afford to sell its phones on thin margins because they don't make their money on the hardware anyway, but since I've been tied into the Google ecosystem long before I had a Nexus, I appreciate the discount for the ad/demographic revenue I'm already generating.

I could really get used to a top end phone costing $349, especially when unlocked phones hold their resale value pretty well due to international demand.
 

Capt Caveman

Lifer
Jan 30, 2005
34,543
651
126
ST called me lastnight and informed me that they're having some extraordinary technical issues in porting my number and that it may take another 24-48 hours to complete. Not a good experience so far.
 

patrick409

Senior member
Aug 13, 2003
233
1
0
If you can wait for the Nexus 4, I think it's worth it. I managed to get an 8gb Nexus 4 in the initial release and I've been loving it. The experience is extremely fast and lag free. 8gb of storage is kinda low, but I don't play games on it and I tend to rotate my music so space hasn't been a problem yet.

I personally haven't had any issues with battery life. I usually unplug around 7am and by the time I plug back in at 10-11pm, I still have 30-40% battery life. I'm not a power user by any means.. Just texting and emails on the most part, with maybe 30-45 minutes of browsing tapatalk/google reader. Maybe spend 30-40 minutes listening to mp3s on my commute. The occasional short game while I'm in the can.

I actually ported my number to google voice for this phone. I do miss the native MMS a bit, but I've gotten pretty used to emailing pictures by now, and all my friends have smartphones anyways so it's pretty seamless for them. I love being able to text anywhere in the world where I have wifi for free as well.
 

Midwayman

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2000
5,723
325
126
I'm running an international (gt-n7000) note 1 on ST. Works great. Think you can pick one up for around that now. The main issue with it vs a nexus was the SD slot support. Samsung is promising JB for it in the next month... promises, I know. I don't think there is a perfect device, but I'll say one thing- The older the device is, the more important nexus becomes as getting support either through the company or even XDA gets much harder as people more on.
 

bamx2

Senior member
Oct 25, 2004
483
1
81
Looks good but not in the <$200 price range from what I saw what I saw at fleabay.

I'm running an international (gt-n7000) note 1 on ST. Works great. Think you can pick one up for around that now. The main issue with it vs a nexus was the SD slot support. Samsung is promising JB for it in the next month... promises, I know. I don't think there is a perfect device, but I'll say one thing- The older the device is, the more important nexus becomes as getting support either through the company or even XDA gets much harder as people more on.
 
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s44

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 2006
9,427
16
81
Man, people are really gouging on the GNex. The Nexus 4 fiasco is killing used prices.

OTOH the T-Mo refarming makes phones like the AT&T S2 (cheaper secondhand than the T-Mo!) more viable.