Need suggestions for an older Verizon Android

[boomhower]

The charging port on my sons phone has went out and am looking to replace it. Don't want to spend more than $100 if possible as it won't last long with him anyways. Only requirements are Android and Verizon. What's decent performing and reliable? Just want to pick up something from ebay/forums/craigslist. LTE would be preferred as well.

 

[notposting]

Check Swappa? Plenty of Galaxy Nexus in your budget, also saw an S3 Mini for $125 also.

 

[boomhower]

Check Swappa? Plenty of Galaxy Nexus in your budget, also saw an S3 Mini for $125 also.

I've never used swappa but from looking seems a lot better than ebay. How does a RAZR or RAZR M compare? Nexus was my first thought but want to consider everything. If memory serves there were a lot of complaints over the radio performance on it.

 

[bearxor]

Swappa is great.

RAZR M over GNex for IMO. RAZR is too old. RAZR HD is about $150 and is a decent choice too.

 

[boomhower]

Looks like a locked bootloader on the M so it's out. Looking like the Nexus unless there are any other suggestions. Try and find one with an extended battery.

 

[gmaster456]

I was about to suggest the M. But if that's a no go then the Galaxy would be OK. So long as you can get a good ROM running on it. It is starting to get a little long in the tooth, the OMAP processor is aging, the GPU is weak and the battery life is atrocious. Even with the extended one you're likely going to have to bump charge throughout the day.

It's going to be hard finding a Verizon phone with an unlocked bootloader.

 

[boomhower]

I was about to suggest the M. But if that's a no go then the Galaxy would be OK. So long as you can get a good ROM running on it. It is starting to get a little long in the tooth, the OMAP processor is aging, the GPU is weak and the battery life is atrocious. Even with the extended one you're likely going to have to bump charge throughout the day.

It's going to be hard finding a Verizon phone with an unlocked bootloader.

Root is a must. If there is something more powerful in that price range that is rootable I'm all for it. He's coming from an X2 so about anything is going to be a huge upgrade.

 

[notposting]

Do you have to have an unlocked bootloader to have root? I honestly can't remember and haven't kept up on things, but if not, you just have to make sure you could get root.

 

[Yuriman]

Not necessarily.

 

[ImDonly1]

I might have a VZW Galaxy Nexus FS if you are interested.

 

[Exeodus]

The Galaxy Nexus is a good phone, and you can put an official 4.2.2 ROM on it so it performs like stock. A large extended battery is a must, more than 3000mah, and can be found for cheap on eBay or Amazon.

 

[boomhower]

How about a droid Ultra?

 

[gmaster456]

The Ultra is a great phone. It's essentially a Moto X in a different shell.

 

[boomhower]

The Ultra is a great phone. It's essentially a Moto X in a different shell.

I put it for sale on Facebook for $150 and got offers almost instantly. Going to meet a guy and do a straight trade for an Ultra this evening. I hadn't heard of it before and some quick googling it looked like a Moto X with a bigger screen. Seems like I'm making out like a bandit on this one.

 

[boomhower]

I did the trade but it ended up being a Droid Mini and not an Ultra. Not as good of a phone but cash wise I think I came out on the better end of the deal.

 

[gmaster456]

It's the same phone just smaller.

 

[boomhower]

It's the same phone just smaller.

Played with it a little bit and seems to be a really nice phone. I was looking forward to it being the Ultra to get a feel for a bigger screen but it'll do the trick just fine. Part that really ticked me off is the one store that had a SIM card wanted $25 for it. So I just called Verizon and they are sending one next day air for free, should have it tomorrow since I had missed the Tuesday shipping deadline.

 

[spaceman]

wasnt the moto g 99 on vzw prepaid?
hard to imagine a nicer phone for that.

 

[boomhower]

wasnt the moto g 99 on vzw prepaid?
hard to imagine a nicer phone for that.

The boat has already sailed but out of curiosity would they activate it on a postpaid plan?

Also with Moto X ROMS/rooting methods work on the Mini?

 

[boomhower]

Well looks like you can't root this since it was already updated to 4.4. Guess I need to get a Nexus or GS3.

 

[Insomniator]

I'd rather have a stock Mini than a rooted nexus.

What is so important about rooting?