Best value phone for < $150 ?

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k3n

Senior member
Jan 15, 2001
328
1
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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.
 
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vshah

vshah

Lifer
Sep 20, 2003
19,003
24
81
Wow, lurker.

if I were you, I would pick up a used blackberry with a good qwerty keyboard. You can use it on T-Mobile or prepaid carriers without a data plan.
 
RossMAN

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
78,964
412
136
Is the keyboard a deal breaker?

If you can live without a keyboard, there are a few choices available.
 
Ravynmagi

Ravynmagi

Diamond Member
Jun 16, 2007
3,102
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81
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.
 
crashtestdummy

crashtestdummy

Platinum Member
Feb 18, 2010
2,893
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Just realize that the GSM Moto G can't be used on Verizon and Sprint, and the Verizon Moto G is locked to that service. I would just get the 521 (which I have), since it's half the price of the G so you can just get another phone if you change service.
 
Ravynmagi

Ravynmagi

Diamond Member
Jun 16, 2007
3,102
24
81
Something to also note is there are GSM and CDMA phones. The GSM phones work with AT&T and T-Mobile (though there are differences in band frequencies that may limit you to 2G speeds on T-Mobile) and CDMA phones for Sprint and Verizon. Dunno if there are any phones with both GSM and CDMA in this price range. So if you are any the US, you'll probably still be limited to two of the major carriers.

The Blu Studio looks like it's a bit older (Android 4.1). This phone only has 4GB of internal storage and that's a bit of concern as you'll probably only have 1.5GB of usable space for apps. There is micro SD, but I think a lot of apps won't install on an external SD card.

Since we are looking at Blu phones there is also the Dash 4.5, which is a slightly smaller 4.5 inch screen, but has a better GPU. Hard to say if the quad A7 cores or the dual A9 cores would be better, probably almost a draw. But the Dash 4.5 is also limited to 4GB of internal storage.

It's definitely ideal to have a carrier unlocked phone. But with the budget you set, you are really limiting yourself to some really crappy ones. If the budget can be stretched, the Moto G is really the way to go for carrier unlocked phones. Otherwise I think the Nokia 521 on T-Mobile or Nokia 520 on AT&T (both locked) is a better choice.

If you are set on the carrier unlocked phone for under $150. So far I think I'm liking the Dash 4.5 a bit more... Though I haven't looked at a lot of carrier unlocked phones around this price.
http://www.amazon.com/BLU-Unlocked-Q.../dp/B00DMI9N32
 
Ravynmagi

Ravynmagi

Diamond Member
Jun 16, 2007
3,102
24
81
PS. Something I forgot to mention. The Nokia 520/521 has an IPS display with wide viewing angles. That's common on most good phones, but not so common on the super cheap phones. I'm guessing these sub $200 Blu phones probably don't use IPS (they mention IPS on their higher end models and it's not mentioned on the lower end models). That'll give them poor off center viewing angles.

So a Nokia 520/521 with 8GB internal storage (double what most similar prices phones have) and IPS display, along with Nokia's design and build quality, make the Lumia phone quite worth locking yourself to AT&T and T-Mobile. Who wants to use expensive Verizon or unreliable Sprint anyway? :p
 
sweenish

sweenish

Diamond Member
May 21, 2013
3,656
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I think the Moto G or Lumia 521 are the only real options at this price point. At least for smartphones.
 
Channeledbymodem

Channeledbymodem

Member
Apr 2, 2004
54
1
71
I am selling an unlocked Motorola Atrix Hd for T-Mobile or AT& T for $150 shipped on this forum's for sale section. It is in as new condition and running the latest version of Cyanogenmod Kit Kat. I also own the Lumia 521 and the Atrix is a much better phone.

AnandTech | Motorola Atrix HD Review: Fast, Sharp, Bargain -

http://******/HFlx8Y
 
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C

cpacini

Senior member
Oct 22, 2005
712
0
76
k3n said:
If a phone can only support 2 carriers, how can it be considered "unlocked"?

Not that i'm judging your statement.

But yeah, I'm willing to go the extra mile and get that can atleast support the 4 (?) major carriers, sprint/verizon/t-mobile/at&t, and preferably disposable prepaid cards.... utter nonsense i tell ya...

What you'all think of this

Since the following is GSM, it'll only work with sprint and t-mobile?
http://www.amazon.com/LG-Optimus-P70...rds=lg+optimus



For me freedom is of the utmost importance.
I'd take android os over windows 8 as its open source/less risk of back doors.

And yeah, come to think of it, it'll be better for me in the long run to get a smartphone that can support on the fly internet connection so i can look up my location incase i'm lost on a road trip..
Click to expand...

Its a matter of network compatibility, unlocked gsm phones will work on at&t or T-Mobile, or any of a variety of prepaid carriers that use gsm networks. They will not work on sprint or Verizon though since those companies use cell phone networks that use a different type of technology that is not compatible. There are phones that support both types of networks, but they are expensive high end devices, I'm not aware of anything close to the price range you r looking at the support both.

My suggestion would be to figure out which carrier/plan best suits your needs/budget, and then find a phone that will work.

All that said, a moto g is probably going to be your best bet. Is also a significantly better phone than the lg you linked to for about the same price
 
K

k3n

Senior member
Jan 15, 2001
328
1
81
Got off a chatting session with a Verizon rep, & he told me Verizon doesn't support any "unlocked" phones.

So i'm leaning towards the Moto G.

When I go sign up for At & t or T-mobile what should I expect?

I'm looking to sign up on the cheapest plan, with a greater emphasis on reliability not bandwidth availability...

I've never paid for my own cell phone bill. :(


Edit: Just got off the phone with T-mobile and they say they don't support any new Motorola phones. What service would you all recommend for a semi-cheap ass like myself?

2nd edit: I've also searched on AT&T's website, and they don't have Moto G listed, what is this nonsense... http://www.att.com/esupport/main.jsp?cv=820#

A $200 phone, you can't use with any major service.
 
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K

k3n

Senior member
Jan 15, 2001
328
1
81
May someone please link to me what services I can use an unlocked Motorola Moto G with?
 
RossMAN

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
78,964
412
136
k3n said:
Edit: Just got off the phone with T-mobile and they say they don't support any new Motorola phones. What service would you all recommend for a semi-cheap ass like myself?
Click to expand...

http://www.tmonews.com/2013/11/t-mobile-bandwidth-compatible-moto-g-found-in-fcc-filings/

http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/26/motorola-now-selling-unlocked-moto-g-in-the-us/

Motorola just gave Americans a surprise holiday gift: it's now selling an unlocked version of the Moto G in the US. Starting today, you can purchase both 8GB ($179) and 16GB ($199) editions of the entry-level smartphone with HSPA+ data optimized either for most US carriers (including AT&T and T-Mobile) or for international travel. Any orders placed today should ship by December 2nd, although you'll have to be content with a black shell -- the phone's colored backs and flip covers are "coming soon." Those on CDMA networks will still have to wait until January to get a Moto G of their own, but everyone else can start shopping at the source link.
Click to expand...

http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/1...the-moto-g-early-phones-ship-on-december-2nd/

Read this to make sure you buy the correct Moto G version.
https://support.t-mobile.com/thread/61996

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GWR36F6/
 
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