Need to buy a cheap used android phone for verizon?

[FearoftheNight]

Hi my phone just died and I don't want to renew my contract or add a data plan since I might relocate at some time. What is my best bet to for a smartphone (preferably with android) for verizon? I'm thinking about the Droid 1. Any thoughts?

 

[Eli]

Aren't you essentially forced into a data plan if you get a smartphone with Verizon?

 

[zerocool84]

You can't have an Android phone on Verizon without a data plan so you can only get a dumb phone. Many other phones that have slide-out keyboards on Verizon need a data plan as well.

 

[zinfamous]

I had the LG EnV (1st one) without a data plan.

Not sure if the updated handset is vastly superior, but it does have a nice keyboard. Don't think it's gone into the smartphone realm, has it?

 

[zerocool84]

I had the LG EnV (1st one) without a data plan.

Not sure if the updated handset is vastly superior, but it does have a nice keyboard. Don't think it's gone into the smartphone realm, has it?

Most new phones on Verizon that have a slide-out keyboard need a 200MB data plan as they call them "feature phones". It's a fairly recent thing so that's why you didn't need one on your EnV back then.

 

[SunnyD]

Fuck Verizon and just go with PagePlus.

 

[FearoftheNight]

wait so if i buy my one phone...i can't use it on verizon without buying a data plan????

edit: clarification...i have verizon now..i have broken crappy phone...i want to use a used droid 1 on my current plan w.o the data plan...and that's not doable?!?!? wth?

 

[Double Trouble]

I don't think you can do that. When you call them to activate whatever phone you get, they'll ask what the phone is and if it's a smart phone or 'feature phone' (what a verizon ripoff that is), they'll force you to buy a data plan from them.

If you're still locked into a contract with them, I'd say buy a cheap dumb phone for now until your contract runs out then go elsewhere. If you're not under contract, then shop around, lots of better options available.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

i just got a samsung vibrant (galaxy s android). with a 2 year contract renewal with t-mobile, it was $99 from best buy mobile. the data plan is an optional $30, and next month they will offer a $10 plan. it would take an outstanding deal to do better, imo.

 

[rcpratt]

You can't do that, and honestly why would you want to? It's useless without the data plan.

 

[FearoftheNight]

well i want the phone cause i want to play with android...and i want a phone that has wifi has a decent camera ect...i'm on a family plan w/ verizon so it's not my call whether to change carriers

 

[Fritzo]

wait so if i buy my one phone...i can't use it on verizon without buying a data plan????

edit: clarification...i have verizon now..i have broken crappy phone...i want to use a used droid 1 on my current plan w.o the data plan...and that's not doable?!?!? wth?

No, it won't let you do it when you activate it. Android phones have updates that come down all the time, so without a dataplan, you'd get nailed with a huge data bill without even opening a web browser.

As of Jan 2010, all 3G phones also need a dataplan. So, your choices to go data free are any non 3G phone.

 

[slag]

Need to buy a cheap used android phone for verizon?

Nah, I'm good bro. I just bought an Evo from Sprint to replace my 3g iphone, but thanks.

 

[waggy]

Aren't you essentially forced into a data plan if you get a smartphone with Verizon?

yeah i hate it. i have a samsung omnia (hate the phone. getting a new one soon..not sure what phone yet though) and had to get the $30 a month internet. wich i rarely use.

 

[aldamon]

wait so if i buy my one phone...i can't use it on verizon without buying a data plan????

edit: clarification...i have verizon now..i have broken crappy phone...i want to use a used droid 1 on my current plan w.o the data plan...and that's not doable?!?!? wth?

Welcome to 2010 where mobile phone companies are as bad as cable companies.

 

[BeauJangles]

Welcome to 2010 where mobile phone companies are as bad as cable companies.

Meh, data plans aren't cheap, but smartphones are near-useless without them.

I can't complain because I'm on Sprint's SERO Premium plan so I get unlimited text, data, and 500 anytime minutes (+ free mobile-to-mobile) for $42 / month.

OP, look into buying an old SERO plan from someone on Ebay. They're pretty cheap ($50 lsat time I checked) and your monthly fee would be the same as mine.

 

[Brainonska511]

You can't have an Android phone on Verizon without a data plan so you can only get a dumb phone. Many other phones that have slide-out keyboards on Verizon need a data plan as well.

It pisses me off for those slide-out keyboard phones. I thought about getting one of them, but once I saw that $10/month bullshit 250MB data plan, I said hell no. Stuck with a cheap, dumb phone instead. On a phones clearly designed for texting, I just don't understand why they have a mandatory data plan, besides the fact that they want to rip people off.