Cheap Android phone

[nipplefish]

OK, so I have an LG env3, and it's screwing up all over the place. Shutting down randomly 5+ times a day, randomly giving me a "Downloading" screen that takes a battery pop to get out of, and just generally sucking. And it just so happens that my warranty expired 3 days ago.

I'm pretty interested in getting an Android phone, and I'm also not exactly rolling in cash, so a $500 phone is out of the question. I was hoping to find something on Ebay in the $200 range. It doesn't have to be the latest and greatest. The most important things for me would be battery life and PDA functions, good reception, and something that generally doesn't just break randomly. I don't really give a damn about cameras or any of that fluff. Keyboard would be a plus but not required.

It needs to be Verizon compatible and activate-able. I'm actually not entirely sure how this works with phones bought secondhand. Do you just buy the phone and activate it, or is there some configuring/hacking you have to do? I'm on a share plan with Verizon among 10 family members and my monthly payment for unlimited minutes is dirt cheap, so switching networks is also out of the question.

I'm intrigued by the HTC Droid Eris. It seems to be selling for $150-180 on Ebay. Read a positive review on Gizmodo.

Thoughts appreciated, thanks.

 

[BenSkywalker]

You can get a Moto Droid off of ebay for around $200 and it has a keyboard. Nothing wrong with the Eris, just pointing out the Droid as you mentioned wanting a keyboard(the Droid is quite a bit more powerful then the Eris also).

Do you just buy the phone and activate it, or is there some configuring/hacking you have to do?

Bring it to your Verizon rep and they should get you set up. May be an activation fee, honestly never had a non contract phone activated with them.

 

[rudeguy]

Droids are all over Craigslist around that price.

 

[nipplefish]

Yeah, I see a Droid for $180 that I might jump on. Droids are Verizon only, right? What are the risks for buying a phone from someone on Craigslist? I've read something about ESNs being blacklisted and the phone not being activate-able. Is there any way to check this?

 

[Raduque]

See if you can get the seller to give you the ESN/MEID before hand, then you can call Verizon to see if it can be activated.

Alternatively, you could get the seller to meet you at a Verizon store, activate the phone on your account, and pay him/her for it right there.

If the seller balks at either of these, move on. Neither should be an issue for a legit seller with a good ESN/MEID.

 

[zerocool84]

If you buy a used Verizon/Sprint phone used off the internet, be very careful and ask for the MEID before hand as you can check with Verizon/Sprint and see if the phone was reported stolen.

 

[notposting]

Any way to see what you have available for upgrade options on the plan? They are giving away Motorola Droids to clear inventory at this point (with 2 year renewal). Family plan may make it a little more tricky I suppose though. Don't forget you will be adding a $30/month data package to your bill as well.

Otherwise, a used Droid would be pretty nice. The keyboard blows, but you will get used to it (or better with the onscreen one). And you can play with the software on it left right and upside down. Been rooted, folded, spindled and mutilated.

I just got one in June and I am very happy with the pickup. Still has the chops to hang with the new phones as well with a bit of overclocking and froyo loving.

And agreed on the above tips to make sure it will activate. The Droid was my first contract renewal upgrade in 5 years, been through plenty of used phones and it's pretty easy.

 

[shortylickens]

Used G1.

And I'm sorry you got an EnV.

 

[charrison]

The eris is not bad phone, but as of right now there is only ~140 megs available to install apps. VZW tech support assured me the android 2.2 update would be rolling out in august and would resolve this issue as 2.2 allows apps to be installed on the SD card.


I suppose if that does not happen by then I will root it and put 2.2 on it.

 

[nipplefish]

This Droid deal looks pretty good, the guy sent me pics of the phone and it looks legit. Just waiting for him to respond with the ESN and hopefully it'll be a done deal. Thanks for all the help, guys.

edit:

I just got one in June and I am very happy with the pickup. Still has the chops to hang with the new phones as well with a bit of overclocking and froyo loving.

Overclocking your phone, huh? LOL... I guess I shouldn't really have any qualms about doing that considering the computer I run.

Does it get warm in your pocket?

 

[notposting]

snip
edit:
Overclocking your phone, huh? LOL... I guess I shouldn't really have any qualms about doing that considering the computer I run.

Does it get warm in your pocket?

I use SetCPU, have different profiles. When the screen is off it's at 250MHz. So...no

Also, nipplefish would be one hell of a name for a band. :hmm::awe:

 

[foghorn67]

gah. Buy one locally through Craigslist or something. When you get there, ask politely if you can call VZW just to be sure you can activate it.
I had to buy a BB Curve last year. My first 2 or 3 stops resulted in an ESN that couldn't be activated. Basically, if that happens, it's a brick.
Reasons for ESN's that cannot be activated.
-Reported Stolen
-Account is suspended and sold off to a collector. You could in theory make it so it could be activated. But only if you assume all debts. So if the guy that had that account owed several hundred dollars, that means you have to pay it to see the phone working.

 

[boomhower]

Droid is a huge step-up over the Eris. The Eris is a decent enough phone but the hardware was dated when it was released, no less now. It's just plain slow. Go with the Droid.

 

[judasmachine]

The eris is not bad phone, but as of right now there is only ~140 megs available to install apps. VZW tech support assured me the android 2.2 update would be rolling out in august and would resolve this issue as 2.2 allows apps to be installed on the SD card.


I suppose if that does not happen by then I will root it and put 2.2 on it.

I doubt the Eris is getting 2.2 ever. I think they are just going to be sending out minor bug fixes until no one has one anymore. That said, the froyo builds on XDA are getting better every week. Apps2SD is hit and miss, but it can really save some of that precious app memory.

 

[notposting]

Pretty sure they announced the Hero and Eris weren't getting 2.2 so the VZW rep is probably blowing smoke.

 

[rudeguy]

http://www.cowboom.com/store/productlist.cfm?catID=3312&catlvl=2

Check out the selection of Droids. Cowboom is Best Buy's blowout outlet.

 

[nipplefish]

I don't see a single Droid on that site?

Craigslist is starting to piss me off. I've contacted 8 different people, and they either don't respond or don't follow up.

Want phone NOW

 

[nipplefish]

Thanks again, guys. I got my Droid. This thing is pretty awesome. I'm glad I've finally joined the smart phone world. Got it rooted and OC'd to 1.1GHz stable

 

[tatteredpotato]

Thanks again, guys. I got my Droid. This thing is pretty awesome. I'm glad I've finally joined the smart phone world. Got it rooted and OC'd to 1.1GHz stable

Rooting Android (or any smartphone for that matter) is like crack. I'm swapping out ROMs weekly now.

 

[rudeguy]

Rooting Android (or any smartphone for that matter) is like crack. I'm swapping out ROMs weekly now.

I don't have a problem. I can stop whenever I want.

I just have to find the right ROM. My first one was so great but there has to be a better one. I know I'll find it soon. If not, I'll stop. I know I can.....

 

[foghorn67]

I don't have a problem. I can stop whenever I want.

I just have to find the right ROM. My first one was so great but there has to be a better one. I know I'll find it soon. If not, I'll stop. I know I can.....

Junkie.

 

[nipplefish]

Yeah, I can definitely see this becoming a little addictive.

Just when I'd finally settled down and decided to leave my computer alone for a little while...