Need a new phone, recommendations?

[Borkil]

My current smartphone (HTC Thunderbolt) just broke and is unusable. So I'm looking at new phones to get on Verizon. What do you guys recommend? I don't think my upgrade is up until March '13 however, will Verizon allow me to upgrade early if my phone doesn't work? Also I'm still on unlimited data, would it be worth buying a phone full price for unlimited data? I find myself hardly using 2gb, but the thought of being limited makes me angry haha

 

[PowerYoga]

I don't use more than 2 gb a month generally, but sometimes I do go over so it's nice to be able to keep the unlimited.

I personally have the S3 and it's nice a sleek and does everything I need it to do, and there's some nice stable jellybean roms on there if you're into rooting and whatnot.

 

[vi edit]

Too bad you just missed the $229 G-Nexus refurb deal. You could have bought that outright and kept your unlimited data.

Verizon is a bastard when it comes to upgrade bumps. If you aren't due, you aren't getting an upgrade. And their retail prices are redonkulous. Especially if you are looking at Motorola phones. A RAZR Maxx is like $800. Bleh. Keep in mind that upgrades are 18 months, and not 2 years like the contract. So you may be due sooner than you think.

 

[dguy6789]

A RAZR Maxx is like $800.

That has never been the case even once.

My list of best phones on Verizon right now in order of best to worst(of the phones I would consider good and desirable) is Razr Maxx HD > Razr HD > Galaxy S3 > Razr M > Incredible 4G LTE > Galaxy Nexus. I'd probably put the IP5 somewhere next to the Nexus and Incredible but no higher than that. The Galaxy Note 2 when it comes out I would put near the top of this list probably right below the Maxx HD.

Keeping unlimited data on VZW is worth paying retail to me. To others it may not be, that's up to you.

 

[s44]

Too bad you just missed the $229 G-Nexus refurb deal. You could have bought that outright and kept your unlimited data.

That ended? Brutal. Best Verizon deal in ages.

Still, you can get one secondhand for about $200. Just check the screen for evenness and scratches and make sure the ESN is clean.

Of course, my radio just randomly crapped out, so I'm not sure about the rock-solidity of the hardware. Should keep you tided over until upgrade time though.

 

[vi edit]

That has never been the case even once.

I guess Best Buy has different pricing than Verizon. I just remember seeing this price the other day:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Motorola...912565&st=razr hd maxx&cp=1&lp=1&contract_desc=

$799 unactivated.