Best value phone for < $150 ?

[bearxor]

I think you're confusing "we don't sell it" with "it can't be used". With AT&T and TMobile, you can bring any unlocked GSM phone and, as long as the frequencies are compatible, it will work on their service.

The MotoG supports both TMobile and AT&T's frequencies. But you're going to have to do this backwards from how you're thinking it should work. You're thinking "I'll choose a carrir and then to to the store and buy the phone from them." The way it actually works is, "I'll order the phone from Motorola online and then I'll order a SIM card from my carrier that I can stick in to it."

 

[k3n]

I think you're confusing "we don't sell it" with "it can't be used". With AT&T and TMobile, you can bring any unlocked GSM phone and, as long as the frequencies are compatible, it will work on their service.

The MotoG supports both TMobile and AT&T's frequencies. But you're going to have to do this backwards from how you're thinking it should work. You're thinking "I'll choose a carrir and then to to the store and buy the phone from them." The way it actually works is, "I'll order the phone from Motorola online and then I'll order a SIM card from my carrier that I can stick in to it."

Thank you for this very informative post!

I can just get a sim card like this?
http://www.amazon.com/T-Mobile-Sim-C...RankDescending


And give T-mobile a call?

 

[gmaster456]

Go to their website and order a SIM card and a prepaid plan. It doesn't have to be hard. You can have it done in 5 minutes.

 

[bearxor]

Thank you for this very informative post!

I can just get a sim card like this?
http://www.amazon.com/T-Mobile-Sim-C...RankDescending


And give T-mobile a call?

Correct. If you're going to go this route, you should do it in this order:
1) choose your service provider. AT&T or TMobile? How's coverage? Plans? How many minutes/text/data do I need? Does a MVNO that provides service better for my needs like Straight Talk?

2) Choose the phone compatible with the service providers network. In the case of the MotoG, MotoX or Nexus 5, they're pretty compatible with everything. But the you have the Lumia 520, which doesn't support TMobile's 3G data bands and the Lumia 521, which is essentially the same phone but doesn't support AT&T's 3G bands.

What you're looking for if you buy a TMobile device:
HSPA: 1700mhz/1900mhz/2100mhz
LTE Bands 2, 4 & 25

For AT&T, you want:
HSPA: 850mhz/1900mhz
LTE Bands 2, 4, 5 & 13

Of course, if you don't buy a LTE device, then you can ignore the LTE band requirements. But look at a device like the MotoG. It supports HSPA 850/1700/1900/2100. This means it covers all the frequencies you need for either AT&T or TMobile.

3) order the device from the cheapest place you can find.

4) order your SIM card from the carrier (usually $10 or less), be it Aio wireless, TMobile, Straight Talk, etc, etc.

5) when you get them in, follow the instructions included with your SIM kit to activate the service, then stick the SIM in the phone and you're working.

I think the best way we could help you pick something is if you told us what your needs are. Where do you live, where do you travel to and how often, how many minutes/texts do you need, how much data do you think you need?

 

[k3n]

I live in Maryland, 200-400 minutes should be sufficient. I prefer to text though, as opposed to leaving a voice mail.

I'd probably use internet strictly for GPS and such. Games don't really interest me.

 

[bearxor]

I live in Maryland, 200-400 minutes should be sufficient. I prefer to text though, as opposed to leaving a voice mail.

I'd probably use internet strictly for GPS and such. Games don't really interest me.

Go here and put your zip code in for coverage checks:
http://www.t-mobile.com/coverage.html
http://www.att.com/maps/wireless-coverage.html

Basically, AT&T has the entire state covered with LTE and HSPA+. TMobile has the major cities covered with LTE and HSPA+, but lots of EDGE (2G) data in between.

Your best bet, IMO, would be Straight Talk. You can choose either AT&T or TMobile's network.
http://www.straighttalk.com/wps/portal/home/shop/sims

It's $45/mo for unlimited minutes and text. You get 2.5GB of high-speed data on AT&T's network and unlimited on TMobile. You data usage should be well below 2GB. Games aren't going to vastly increase your data usage, as you'll download those over WiFi. It'll be streaming that gets you, be it movies or music. GPS usage should be just fine for 2GB of data.

 

[techtechie]

From your description, if windows phone isnt a deal breaker, the lg quantum c900 or somethign like that

 

[luv2liv]

motorola ex 223
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6rQ0yK0hFg

super small and light weight. nice qwerty kb like a blackberry. battery lasts for approx 8 days. dual sim slots for traveling around the world without having to pop out your home sim card. it was $60 when i bought it.

 

[k3n]

Go here and put your zip code in for coverage checks:
http://www.t-mobile.com/coverage.html
http://www.att.com/maps/wireless-coverage.html

Basically, AT&T has the entire state covered with LTE and HSPA+. TMobile has the major cities covered with LTE and HSPA+, but lots of EDGE (2G) data in between.

Your best bet, IMO, would be Straight Talk. You can choose either AT&T or TMobile's network.
http://www.straighttalk.com/wps/portal/home/shop/sims

It's $45/mo for unlimited minutes and text. You get 2.5GB of high-speed data on AT&T's network and unlimited on TMobile. You data usage should be well below 2GB. Games aren't going to vastly increase your data usage, as you'll download those over WiFi. It'll be streaming that gets you, be it movies or music. GPS usage should be just fine for 2GB of data.

Thanks for this very informative post. I live withing the metro area. I've traveled to places such as race tracks, which tend to be, in the middle of nowhere, so yeah, T-Mobile "city limits" coverage is a cause for concern for me. And definitely in the event I move across the country, I'd like the service to still function, as long I'm paying my monthly fee.

It seems "moto g", uses a micro-sim card.
https://motorola-global-portal.cust..._detail/a_id/97317/p/30,6720,9050/action/auth

Straight talk seems to match the average price for a monthly cellular plan ($47), which is good to know...
https://www.google.com/search?num=5...36.0....0...1c.1.35.hp..9.30.3012.cJII95lkADo

 

[Jim Bancroft]

I have a WP8 Lumia 521, paid $100 for it in July. It was designed for T-mobile but I put a sim card in it from PTel wireless and there were no problems at all. The phone is even cheaper now as I understand it. Love this phone!

 

[Muse]

Battery will most certainly be the most important.

1 with a qwerty layout will be throughly appreciated as well.

I'd like 1 that isn't bounded by any contracts & can be used with any service provider, verizon/sprint/t-mobile. Hey, even 1 that can be used with those disposable sales/subscription cards...

1'd like 1 wit a qwerty layout to help make text message a breeze.

As you can tell I don't have a smart phone. I'm 1 of the few with the traditional flip top phones.
Apparently the charger pin in my current cell phone is bent and it can't charge properly anymore as a result.

I'm in the same boat. I have an old dumb flip phone. I just bought a Nokia Lumia 520, should have it within a week or so. $60! Read the reviews at Amazon, I spent a few hours doing that, it's amazing. If you want it to work on all networks? Well, that's another story. I don't think the Lumias will work on Verizon, wish they did because I have $60 credit on my prepaid Verizon plan with my dumb phone. Figure to get a cheap prepaid plan for my new smartphone, I'm trying to discern the terrain. It will have to use the AT&T network, just hoping my coverage is acceptable. My Verizon coverage has been really really good.

I think a carrier unlocked smartphone for under $100 off contract is a lot to ask.

That first phone you linked has Android 2.3 on it, so it's pretty old. That second phone is CDMA and looks like locked to Boost Mobile.

You probably need to decide what carrier you'll use. I like T-Mobile myself, so I think a Lumia 521 (starting at $70) would be a really nice choice. If you want Verizon, then the Moto G is really good at $100. You can also buy a carrier unlocked Moto G, but that'll cost $180. I do think it's worth spending a bit more on the $180 unlocked Moto G and using it on T-Mobile since their pre-paid prices seem better than Verizon.

Hey, if you guys think a Verizon locked Moto G at $100 is a better idea (can keep my $60 credit on Verizon with my pagepluscellular plan?) please let me know ASAP, I think I can still cancel my AT&T locked Nokia Lumia 520! Can I get good offline GPS navigation with the Moto G?

Edit: K3n, FYI, if I do get the Nokia Lumia 520 (locked to AT&T), I'm thinking of getting the really cheap $10 prepaid plan from Airvoice. They have a $10/month, also a $10 expiring every 3 months, both give you calls at 10 cents/minute, texts for 10 cents and 6.6 cents/MB data. The data is probably really slow, but I figure to not use it much, will do most of my data at home using my wifi. Don't know how reliable AT&T's network will prove for me, but that aspect of the phone is something I'm willing to gamble $60 on. My first priority is the offline GPS navigation, anyway... off the bat. My flip phone (LG VX4500) has a hardware keyboard but I NEVER use it.

 

[bearxor]

Verizon's 3G is so slow I would never really wish it upon anyone.

But if you don't plan on using the data at all, then the Verizon MotoG is certainly an option.

 

[bearxor]

Edit: K3n, FYI, if I do get the Nokia Lumia 520 (locked to AT&T), I'm thinking of getting the really cheap $10 prepaid plan from Airvoice. They have a $10/month, also a $10 expiring every 3 months, both give you calls at 10 cents/minute, texts for 10 cents and 6.6 cents/MB data. The data is probably really slow, but I figure to not use it much, will do most of my data at home using my wifi. Don't know how reliable AT&T's network will prove for me, but that aspect of the phone is something I'm willing to gamble $60 on. My first priority is the offline GPS navigation, anyway... off the bat. My flip phone (LG VX4500) has a hardware keyboard but I NEVER use it.

That plan sounds terrible for him. His stated usage is 200-400 minutes per month, likes to text and and to use the GPS on the phone. Let's say 300 minutes, 500 texts, 300MB of data.

(300*.10)+(500*.10)+(300*.066)=99.80/mo.

Way better off with basically any prepaid option.

But if you don't plan on using your phone like, at all, then it might be a decent deal for you. But then I don't know why you'd even bother activating it. If you're happy with your flip phone as a phone and plan on buying the Lumia and using it for web browsing at a hotspot or offline GPS, then I don't think I'd even bother trying to arrange for a service plan for it.

Edit: Rereading the post, it seems like you might be planning on just getting a cheap prepaid plan to see what AT&T coverage is like. I think my advice about not activating would remain the same. If you keep the SIM in the phone, then it will still detect coverage in the area, you just won't be able to do anything. You can then use it to determine if the areas you travel to/from have decent AT&T coverage before deciding on a plan.

 

[Muse]

That plan sounds terrible for him. His stated usage is 200-400 minutes per month, likes to text and and to use the GPS on the phone. Let's say 300 minutes, 500 texts, 300MB of data.

(300*.10)+(500*.10)+(300*.066)=99.80/mo.

Way better off with basically any prepaid option.

But if you don't plan on using your phone like, at all, then it might be a decent deal for you. But then I don't know why you'd even bother activating it. If you're happy with your flip phone as a phone and plan on buying the Lumia and using it for web browsing at a hotspot or offline GPS, then I don't think I'd even bother trying to arrange for a service plan for it.

Edit: Rereading the post, it seems like you might be planning on just getting a cheap prepaid plan to see what AT&T coverage is like. I think my advice about not activating would remain the same. If you keep the SIM in the phone, then it will still detect coverage in the area, you just won't be able to do anything. You can then use it to determine if the areas you travel to/from have decent AT&T coverage before deciding on a plan.

Thanks for this post!

I have a couple questions, please indulge a smartphone newbie/dummie. I think I understand what you're saying but let me confirm. I like your thinking. So, when you say "keep the SIM in the phone..." It comes with a SIM? I leave it in the phone and I will be able to detect AT&T coverage where I am when I have the phone on, I just don't bother getting a plan (or even a number for it, therefore). I keep my flip phone with its own number for occasional calls.

Moto G would have no benefit for me? As I said, I don't know if it has offline GPS anyway.

One more question: I could use the Nokia 520 for web browsing at a hotspot (which I assume includes at home using my 802.11b/g wireless network). What's that experience like compared to usage under a plan? Would it be same/similar? I suppose it would depend some on the speed of the data in the plan. I'm totally inexperienced here, so any comments appreciated!

 

[Robert Munch]

Will the moto g work on cricket wireless or do I have to unlock it?

 

[bearxor]

Thanks for this post!

I have a couple questions, please indulge a smartphone newbie/dummie. I think I understand what you're saying but let me confirm. I like your thinking. So, when you say "keep the SIM in the phone..." It comes with a SIM? I leave it in the phone and I will be able to detect AT&T coverage where I am when I have the phone on, I just don't bother getting a plan (or even a number for it, therefore). I keep my flip phone with its own number for occasional calls.

It should come with a SIM. They're usually included so you can activate service. If you turn on the phone while somewhere with Wifi, the phone will set itself up over the Wifi connection. You can just leave the SIM in and you will get the service indicator at the top (swipe down in Windows Phone to see the status bar) that will show your signal strength. It won't show your connection speed. You won't get a '4G' indicator. But the coverage map should help you with that.

Moto G would have no benefit for me? As I said, I don't know if it has offline GPS anyway.

Unless something has changed, I believe Google Maps will let you download a certain amount of maps to keep offline.

I don't know if the MotoG would be a better choice for you or not though. If you want to stay with Verizon's network, you really don't have a choice in the matter. I like Windows Phone more than Android. It's a nice balance between iOS and Android. But it's still very rough around the edges and the App Store isn't as up to date as iOS and Android.

I would also suggest that if you're OK with spending $200 on a phone and you want to use AT&T's network, you should seriously consider a used Lumia 920. They can be had for around $200 and bring a lot of additional features over the 520. Faster processor, more memory, bigger and higher resolution screen, front facing camera, 8MP rear camera with OIS and a dual LED flash, wireless charging (Qi), solid unibody construction and LTE capable, which would be of use on Straight Talk.

One more question: I could use the Nokia 520 for web browsing at a hotspot (which I assume includes at home using my 802.11b/g wireless network). What's that experience like compared to usage under a plan? Would it be same/similar? I suppose it would depend some on the speed of the data in the plan. I'm totally inexperienced here, so any comments appreciated!

The experience is essentially the same regardless of if you do it on Wifi or cellular. The main difference is convenience. Say you download some maps for offline use but have no data connection. That wil work fine, but they'll never update for road closures, heavy traffic or accidents. If you have a data plan, you can get that stuff fed to you. If you're out and about, you can surf web pages without worrying about finding a Wifi hotspot or worrying about whomever else might be connected to it.

 

[bearxor]

Will the moto g work on cricket wireless or do I have to unlock it?

Cricket is still CDMA PCS for voice, correct?

If that's the case, you'll need to probably flash the radio on the Verizon version to make it work. XDA Dev or HoFo might have better answers there.

 

[Robert Munch]

Cricket is still CDMA PCS for voice, correct?

If that's the case, you'll need to probably flash the radio on the Verizon version to make it work. XDA Dev or HoFo might have better answers there.

According to Crickets FAQ they are saying its CDMA no SIM required. I too, am looking for a phone in this price range. I plan on leaving Cricket in a month or two

 

[bearxor]

According to Crickets FAQ they are saying its CDMA no SIM required. I too, am looking for a phone in this price range. I plan on leaving Cricket in a month or two

Then I'd just hold off on anything. Cricket's in the process of being bought by AT&T as well

 

[Muse]

It should come with a SIM. They're usually included so you can activate service. If you turn on the phone while somewhere with Wifi, the phone will set itself up over the Wifi connection. You can just leave the SIM in and you will get the service indicator at the top (swipe down in Windows Phone to see the status bar) that will show your signal strength. It won't show your connection speed. You won't get a '4G' indicator. But the coverage map should help you with that.

I wonder if the Nokia 520 comes with a SIM. I saw posts by people saying that when using the phone before getting a plan they were getting a message from the phone saying it didn't have a SIM. They clicked OK or something and the message went away. Maybe I can insert a dummie SIM or something? Or just live with the occasional messages.

Unless something has changed, I believe Google Maps will let you download a certain amount of maps to keep offline.

I don't know if the MotoG would be a better choice for you or not though. If you want to stay with Verizon's network, you really don't have a choice in the matter. I like Windows Phone more than Android. It's a nice balance between iOS and Android. But it's still very rough around the edges and the App Store isn't as up to date as iOS and Android.

Yes, I've been reading nice things about Windows Phone. And version 8.1 is around the corner, lots of excitement about that. I haven't seen Windows Phone except a video or two and screen shots, reading posts about it. People say the apps will come little by little. I'm thinking I won't miss the dearth of apps, maybe at all, at least for a while.

I would also suggest that if you're OK with spending $200 on a phone and you want to use AT&T's network, you should seriously consider a used Lumia 920. They can be had for around $200 and bring a lot of additional features over the 520. Faster processor, more memory, bigger and higher resolution screen, front facing camera, 8MP rear camera with OIS and a dual LED flash, wireless charging (Qi), solid unibody construction and LTE capable, which would be of use on Straight Talk.

Thanks for this suggestion! I watched a long video the other day comparing the 520, 620, 720, 820 and 920. Kind of cool. One feature I do like in the Lumias is the microSD slot. The Moto G doesn't have that. I don't know if I'm going to like the Nokia as much as my little MP3 player in the gym, but the Lumia will hold a ton more music. The one I'm using is only 2GB. I'll see how the Lumia feels in my shorts pocket.

The experience is essentially the same regardless of if you do it on Wifi or cellular. The main difference is convenience. Say you download some maps for offline use but have no data connection. That wil work fine, but they'll never update for road closures, heavy traffic or accidents. If you have a data plan, you can get that stuff fed to you. If you're out and about, you can surf web pages without worrying about finding a Wifi hotspot or worrying about whomever else might be connected to it.

Something I didn't mention: I bought a dedicated GPS, a Garmin Nuvi 2595LMTHD (almost $160 including tax from Costco online), then realized that a Nokia 520 would maybe provide pretty much all the GPS capability I need... I don't drive a lot! Your comments clarify the fact that the Nokia wouldn't offline provide traffic updates. I haven't opened the Garmin package yet, figure I may return it, why have two devices. I saw a post from a guy who said the HD Traffic feature in the Garmin doesn't work in my region (can't imagine why, it's a major metro area, but whatever). Even the Garmin, AFAIK wouldn't update maps except in the ~quarterly map updates. The Lumia, if I have no data plan, would have no updates. I suppose I could download new maps occasionally. I think the Garmin would have better sound, but from what I'm reading I'm thinking the Lumia may be adequate.

 

[bearxor]

I wonder if the Nokia 520 comes with a SIM. I saw posts by people saying that when using the phone before getting a plan they were getting a message from the phone saying it didn't have a SIM. They clicked OK or something and the message went away. Maybe I can insert a dummie SIM or something? Or just live with the occasional messages.

The Lumia 521 I purchased came with a SIM. If you take it out, then you get a message in every reboot about it missing a SIM. I don't recall getting messages about it during normal use.

Thanks for this suggestion! I watched a long video the other day comparing the 520, 620, 720, 820 and 920. Kind of cool. One feature I do like in the Lumias is the microSD slot. The Moto G doesn't have that. I don't know if I'm going to like the Nokia as much as my little MP3 player in the gym, but the Lumia will hold a ton more music. The one I'm using is only 2GB. I'll see how the Lumia feels in my shorts pocket.

I bought the 521 so I could see how much I liked Windows Phone. Then I returned it and picked up a used 920. The price difference was around $100 and it was well worth it. Though I found the 920 to be a tad on the large side. I loved the size of the 521.

 

[Muse]

One reason I was thinking of getting that very cheap Airvoice plan ($10 worth, expiring every 3 months, don't know if I get to keep unused), is this: My flip phone, I have to pay $10 into the kitty every 4 months. The money piles up but right now I'm not using it. If I get that Airvoice plan on the Lumia it would cost me a little more but I wouldn't need to carry an extra device. Really, I usually just leave my cell phone at home. I carry it occasionally thinking there's a possibility I will want to make a call, but it usually doesn't happen. Well, it may turn out I don't use either all that much!

It should come with a SIM. They're usually included so you can activate service. If you turn on the phone while somewhere with Wifi, the phone will set itself up over the Wifi connection. You can just leave the SIM in and you will get the service indicator at the top (swipe down in Windows Phone to see the status bar) that will show your signal strength. It won't show your connection speed. You won't get a '4G' indicator. But the coverage map should help you with that.

What's the coverage map? You're saying I will get that using wifi? 4G indicator or 3G... I thought those were types of cellular data connections. I thought you were talking about wifi here. 😕

 

[sequoia464]

The Lumia 521 I purchased came with a SIM. If you take it out, then you get a message in every reboot about it missing a SIM. I don't recall getting messages about it during normal use.


I bought the 521 so I could see how much I liked Windows Phone. Then I returned it and picked up a used 920. The price difference was around $100 and it was well worth it. Though I found the 920 to be a tad on the large side. I loved the size of the 521.

Did something similar - had been using a 521 for several months - got in on the $50 520 deal from Microsoft store at Christmas time so I picked up one of those to see how well Straight talk worked for me. It worked very well (except no internet sharing) so I got one of the 920's from Microsoft store for $299 new a couple of weeks ago.

Also had a 1520 for a while but returned that. The 1520 has an absolutely killer screen - especially outdoors - but it was just to big for me to use as a daily phone.

 

[Muse]

Did something similar - had been using a 521 for several months - got in on the $50 520 deal from Microsoft store at Christmas time so I picked up one of those to see how well Straight talk worked for me. It worked very well (except no internet sharing) so I got one of the 920's from Microsoft store for $299 new a couple of weeks ago.

Also had a 1520 for a while but returned that. The 1520 has an absolutely killer screen - especially outdoors - but it was just to big for me to use as a daily phone.

Did your 520 come with a SIM?

 

[bearxor]

What's the coverage map? You're saying I will get that using wifi? 4G indicator or 3G... I thought those were types of cellular data connections. I thought you were talking about wifi here. 😕

You'll need a Wifi connection to do the setup out of the box. I think you can actually do it without a connection at all, but it skips some steps. Regardless, you'd want to be in range of something.

After it's set up, you can use it just fine over wifi.

What I was noting with regards to the 3G/4G icon is if you have a SIM card in it without service. You should get the cellular service strength indicator, but not the connection type of the cellular service, since it can't authenticate, basically.

See this image

You won't get a '3G' or '4G' icon, but you should get the signal bars. If you can determine if you have service where you need it, you can then just check AT&T's coverage map to see if it's 3G or 4G AT&T service. Most of AT&T's network should be 4G.

And to note, specifically, what I'm talking about here, I'm referring to AT&T's definition of 3G, 4G and 4G LTE. 3G is HSPA, 7Mbps download max. 4G is HSPA+, 21Mbps download max. 4G LTE is, of course, LTE. I believe the 520 is perfectly capable of HSPA+, so it should get AT&T's "4G" speeds on most of the network. But there are still some pockets that aren't updated to HSPA+, so YMMV.

Edit for those curious. This is AT&T's coverage map. The dark orange areas are at LEAST HSPA+, the lighter orange is HSPA, the dull orange is EDGE.