Best GSM prepaid service?

[Slacker]

Ok. But, I need to buy the T-Mo SgS3, correct? And the unlocked one?

I wanted the sgs3 but the price was just too much, I got a galaxy nexus and love it.

As for setting up the plan, I have seen people say to buy the cheapest phone at Walmart and get the phone/Sim activated on the plan then you would just swap the Sim into an unlocked phone like the nexus.

 

[looper]

Ah, now I'm understanding... I think....

1)Get the non-contract price SamsungS3 I want at T-Mo
2)To WalMart for super-cheapo phone and $30 prepaid plan...then take activated sim from that phone and put it in the Samsung S3...

Correct?

 

[ponyo]

Ah, now I'm understanding... I think....

1)Get the unlocked SamsungS3 I want at T-Mo
2)To WalMart for super-cheapo phone and $30 prepaid plan...then take activated sim from that phone and put it in the Samsung S3...

Correct?

You don't need to do all that. Just order the sim package online. It's around couple bucks. No need to buy throwaway phone just for the sim.

 

[kaerflog]

If you don't want to buy a sim cutter. Buy stickers that stick over the old sim. Follow the pattern and cut it down to micro size.
Couldn't be any more simple than that.

 

[looper]

You don't need to do all that. Just order the sim package online. It's around couple bucks. No need to buy throwaway phone just for the sim.

Ok. But the Samsung S3 I get from T-Mo must be the non-contract version... because they won't sell me the phone for the subsidized price without a contract... right?

 

[Robert Munch]

Ouch the T-Mobile sim card from Straight Talk is $14.99 . Was going to use a HTC One S and get a sim cutter to turn the sim into a micro.

Any other options to get a micro sim for a cheaper cost?

 

[bignateyk]

You gotta be careful with TMobile and ATT. TMobile uses the AWS (2100MHz) band for 3G. AT&T doesn't use that band (They use 850 and 1900). An unlocked AT&T phone will only give you 2G service on TMobiles network regardless of what the phone is capable of and what service you're paying for.

Likewise, if you buy an unlocked TMobile phone, you will only get 2G if you try to use it on AT&Ts network.

 

[bignateyk]

If you don't want to buy a sim cutter. Buy stickers that stick over the old sim. Follow the pattern and cut it down to micro size.
Couldn't be any more simple than that.

It's not an exact science. Just get a pair if scissors and line up the middle contact of each sim and start cutting.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I am ready to do this too. Can this activation kit be bought in stores, or do you need to order it online?

I tried. They'll sell you the card, but they insist on activating it, and send the Monthly 4G plans are not in their computer (at least the $30 5GB one) they'll activate it with a pay as you go plan, charge you $10 for it, and then when you get home you'll discover that SIM card can't be used with the $30 5GB plan (and some of the others).

It seems stupid T-Mobile can't set this up in their retail stores.

You'll probably be best buying the activation kit online.

I think Walmart sells the activation kits too, but they are bundled with pre-paid phones. So you'd have to spend more and buy some cheap phone also.

 

[bignateyk]

I tried. They'll sell you the card, but they insist on activating it, and send the Monthly 4G plans are not in their computer (at least the $30 5GB one) they'll activate it with a pay as you go plan, charge you $10 for it, and then when you get home you'll discover that SIM card can't be used with the $30 5GB plan (and some of the others).

It seems stupid T-Mobile can't set this up in their retail stores.

You'll probably be best buying the activation kit online.

I think Walmart sells the activation kits too, but they are bundled with pre-paid phones. So you'd have to spend more and buy some cheap phone also.

You can just call TMobile and they'll send you an activation kit for the monthly 4g plans for $2.50

 

[Ravynmagi]

Ok. But the Samsung S3 I get from T-Mo must be the unlocked version... because they won't sell me the phone for the subsidized price without a contract... right?

I don't know if it needs to be "unlocked". But you need the T-Mobile version specifically. The model number is Samsung T999. It's no contract price is $600. Though you might get charged $700 at Best Buy or T-Mobile for it.

 

[Ravynmagi]

You can just call TMobile and they'll send you an activation kit for the monthly 4g plans for $2.50

Why call when you could click on the link I posted earlier?

 

[kaerflog]

It's not an exact science. Just get a pair if scissors and line up the middle contact of each sim and start cutting.

Well a lot of people don't know that you can even cut the the normal sim.
They certainly isn't going to just start cutting.
3 stickers on eBay is like $1. Can't make mistake with those.

 

[kaerflog]

Buying Galaxy Nexus for $350 vs GS3 for full price is a no brainer

 

[Robert Munch]

Buying Galaxy Nexus for $350 vs GS3 for full price is a no brainer

Came out to 390 with tax and shipping on the GNex. I balked and went with a unlocked HTC One S for cheaper which has better batt. life and camera.

 

[Sheep]

When you order a SIM off their website, you can choose between AT&T GSM or T-Mobile GSM; I went with AT&T based on coverage and speed in my area.

My friend was prompted for his zip code and I think the AT&T option popped up based on that. I don't recall an option to choose between different providers.

 

[Plugers]

With the $30 T-Mobile plan I just ordered the Sim online for $1 and activated it on their site when it came.

 

[kaerflog]

Came out to 390 with tax and shipping on the GNex. I balked and went with a unlocked HTC One S for cheaper which has better batt. life and camera.

You don't need to tell me about the One S, I have one.
Did you get it off CL ?? How much ??

 

[Plester]

Came out to 390 with tax and shipping on the GNex. I balked and went with a unlocked HTC One S for cheaper which has better batt. life and camera.

When I bought my GN, I suddenly got it, a ton of the value of the nexus lies in software. We've been running very stable full featured JB roms for quite a while. It is mind boggling how much development is going on with it. Until the hardware gets really long in the tooth this phone cured me completely of my desire to upgrade based on specs.

 

[Sheep]

When I bought my GN, I suddenly got it, a ton of the value of the nexus lies in software. We've been running very stable full featured JB roms for quite a while. It is mind boggling how much development is going on with it. Until the hardware gets really long in the tooth this phone cured me completely of my desire to upgrade based on specs.

That's a fantastic way of putting it. Are there better spec'ed phones out there? Yup. Are there phones with a more active development community working on unique ROMs based on the most current versions of Android? Not that I've seen.

 

[looper]

I don't know if it needs to be "unlocked". But you need the T-Mobile version specifically. The model number is Samsung T999. It's no contract price is $600.

Yes, sorry, I didn't mean 'unlocked' price, I meant 'non-contract' price...DOH.