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Prepaid smartphones

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ponyo said:
How about Straight Talk? $45 a month and you can choose AT&T or T-Mobile.
Click to expand...

Yup.
1.) GSM. Bring your own device. This is the most important for me, IMO. I don't want a PoS Android phone.
2.) $45/month or $135 per 3 months.
3.) Better coverage.
4.) You get faster speeds on Straight Talk's 3G than what most people get with Sprint's 4G WiMax.
XOeJ2.jpg
 
lothar said:
Coverage is wherever AT&T has coverage.
In other words, coverage is better than both T-Mobile and Sprint.
Click to expand...

Ah okay. Might be interested in that then since at least I won't be roaming if I visit the in-laws.

So if I want Straight Talk, I should be looking at AT&T-compatible phones? I'll probably stick with Android and I KNOW my wife will, so the HTC Inspire looks like a good choice. I've seen used ones going for under $200. Anything else I should be considering? The Galaxy S II is still too expensive and there are a lot of middling Android devices out there that are probably a downgrade for us.

How much compatibility is there between AT&T and T-Mobile phones? What do you lose by bringing a T-Mobile phone to AT&T and vice versa? I remember reading that you'd basically be stuck on 2G speeds if you put a T-Mobile sim in an AT&T phone, but that was a while ago and I don't know if things have changed.
 
AstroManLuca said:
Ah okay. Might be interested in that then since at least I won't be roaming if I visit the in-laws.

So if I want Straight Talk, I should be looking at AT&T-compatible phones? I'll probably stick with Android and I KNOW my wife will, so the HTC Inspire looks like a good choice. I've seen used ones going for under $200. Anything else I should be considering? The Galaxy S II is still too expensive and there are a lot of middling Android devices out there that are probably a downgrade for us.

How much compatibility is there between AT&T and T-Mobile phones? What do you lose by bringing a T-Mobile phone to AT&T and vice versa? I remember reading that you'd basically be stuck on 2G speeds if you put a T-Mobile sim in an AT&T phone, but that was a while ago and I don't know if things have changed.
Click to expand...
Get a phone that is fully compatible with AT&T's network. Or get a Pentaband phone like the Galaxy Nexus and not have to worry about frequency issues.

Galaxy Nexus was on sale for $430 a few days ago(not sure if it still is or not).
Get the best phone you can get, period. That extra difference you're paying you will get back in 3 months worth of savings from going prepaid over postpaid.
There's no need to settle by getting a $200 PoS Android phone. Which phone are you coming from that you're looking at the HTC Inspire?

A few things to note:
Straight Talk now has two SIMS available...An AT&T one and a T-Mobile one.
AT&T SIM only works properly in AT&T and international phones, while T-Mobile only works properly in T-Mobile.
If you mix and match the wrong phone with the wrong SIM, you might be stuck on EDGE/2G data unless you go through the entire activation process again and pay another months worth of service.
You can also avoid all this buy getting a Galaxy Nexus which is a pentaband phone.
-There is voice roaming between the two, but there is NO data roaming. In other words, if you're at a place that T-Mobile signals are crap or non-existent, you can still make phone calls using your T-Mobile Straight Talk SIM and it would roam on the AT&T towers. Again there is NO data roaming between the two. If you're at a place that T-Mobile doesn't have data, tough luck.

How is AT&T and T-Mobile data coverage in your area(and the areas where you go often like your in-laws)? If you're comparing major metropolitan areas[ New York, Houston, Baltimore, etc...], I expect the T-Mobile SIM to have the faster data speed. If you're talking about 3G data "coverage" everywhere from rural to suburb, AT&T would be the better one.

Oh, and one more thing:
If you highly value your current number, you would port it to Google Voice.
 
so im looking at the straight talk website and it doesnt say you can bring your own high end phone, it looks like they sell their own phones. how do you guys know you can do that?
 
Recently switched my wife from Virgin to Straight Talk, and will probably do the same next month. Galaxy Nexus here I come.
 
Thanks for all the help lothar!

A few things... one, as much as I'd love to have a Galaxy Nexus, it's still a bit pricey. Especially since my wife will most likely be switching as well, and two $400+ phones is a bit much. But I'll still look out for deals on good phones. I'm also considering WP7, no idea if it's right for me though. Right now I have a Samsung Epic and my wife has an original HTC EVO.

Also it's really disappointing that there's no data roaming at all. I'm assuming that goes for T-Mobile Prepaid as well as Straight Talk with a T-Mobile sim. I double checked the coverage map and there isn't a spot of data network anywhere in eastern Wisconsin. So it looks like the only way to get data out there is to go with an AT&T phone on Straight Talk.

I'm also a bit concerned about Straight Talk. Read some threads on Howard Forums and apparently they will cancel your entire service including text and voice (yes, cancel, not throttle or cut off your data, which also results in the loss of your phone number) if you go over 2 GB a month. Now it seems that it might be stricter for their customers on AT&T bands than T-Mobile bands. But that doesn't help me much if I want to go on AT&T so I can have data in the Appleton-Green Bay area.

Now I'm not a huge data user. I've gone over 1 GB just once since I got a smartphone, and usually I'm closer to 500 MB, but it still seems pretty shady that they'll just ditch you entirely for going over a certain level of data. I'm fine with throttling or even cutting off data, but that's going too far.

I suppose I'll either have to live with ST's wonky terms that probably won't affect me but still bug me, or I'll just have to go without wireless data when I go out east.
 
Ting would be another option to look at. Sprint-based mvno with voice roaming. If I remember correctly, you get wimax if you buy a 4g phone. Unfortunately, they do require that you purchase a phone from them.

Republic Wireless is still in beta but is scheduled to take in more customers in a few weeks. They are Sprint as well. Company only has 1 rate ($19 a month) and 1 phone (LG Optimus S).
 
tfinch2 said:
Recently switched my wife from Virgin to Straight Talk, and will probably do the same next month. Galaxy Nexus here I come.
Click to expand...

I've been tempted to do the same. However I'm waiting for next gen phones to come out so the sgsii drops in price.
 
If you're using less than 1gb data right now, 2gb soft data cap should be non issue. If they cancel you, who cares. Just sign up with other prepaid companies or at worst resign contract with the evil carriers. That's what makes the GSM Galaxy Nexus so awesome. Unlocked pentaband gives you the freedom to go to any GSM carrier, prepaid or contract. And $430 is cheap for what's currently the best smartphone. People spend $200-300 all the time on subsidized 2yr contract locked phone. Paying the initial extra $130-230 is small price to pay for your freedom and to use the best smartphone.

My wife and I are on TMobile right now. When our contract expires in July, I'm dumping them for Straight Talk. I will continue to use the Galaxy Nexus but on the AT&T band. I also have unlocked 3G AT&T 7" Galaxy Tab I plan to use as phone tablet on the same SIM card. I'll just swap the SIM card back and forth as needed. My wife will use the TMobile band on Straight Talk with her Samsung Vibrant til the release of iPhone 5. Then I'll buy her unlocked IP5 directly from Apple and switch her over to the AT&T band Straight Talk.
 
AstroManLuca said:
Thanks for all the help lothar!

A few things...one, as much as I'd love to have a Galaxy Nexus, it's still a bit pricey. Especially since my wife will most likely be switching as well, and two $400+ phones is a bit much. But I'll still look out for deals on good phones. I'm also considering WP7, no idea if it's right for me though. Right now I have a Samsung Epic and my wife has an original HTC EVO.

Also it's really disappointing that there's no data roaming at all. I'm assuming that goes for T-Mobile Prepaid as well as Straight Talk with a T-Mobile sim. I double checked the coverage map and there isn't a spot of data network anywhere in eastern Wisconsin. So it looks like the only way to get data out there is to go with an AT&T phone on Straight Talk.

I'm also a bit concerned about Straight Talk. Read some threads on Howard Forums and apparently they will cancel your entire service including text and voice (yes, cancel, not throttle or cut off your data, which also results in the loss of your phone number) if you go over 2 GB a month. Now it seems that it might be stricter for their customers on AT&T bands than T-Mobile bands. But that doesn't help me much if I want to go on AT&T so I can have data in the Appleton-Green Bay area.

Now I'm not a huge data user. I've gone over 1 GB just once since I got a smartphone, and usually I'm closer to 500 MB, but it still seems pretty shady that they'll just ditch you entirely for going over a certain level of data. I'm fine with throttling or even cutting off data, but that's going too far.

I suppose I'll either have to live with ST's wonky terms that probably won't affect me but still bug me, or I'll just have to go without wireless data when I go out east.
Click to expand...
I completely understand your situation.
Maybe you can upgrade one at a time...Galaxy Nexus for you(or whichever one of you is the technology geek) and a used HTC Inspire for the other(which you can then sell to upgrade a year later).
Buying used is not something I recommend unless you can't avoid it. Buying an almost 2 year old phone for $200 is like a used car dealership trying to sell me a used 3 year old Honda Accord for $19,000 when I can get a brand new one for $22,000 with the same exact features. It just does not make much sense.
I generally don't buy "used" electronic products because of their rapid depreciation and high markup costs. Now if someone wants to sell me a Moto Droid for $50-80 that makes sense, but buying a used one for $200? Not a chance in hell. Heck, I wouldn't even consider paying $200 for a "used" HTC Thunderbolt. I don't care how good the condition of the phone is.
Again, as long as you guys are doing this "used" thing as a one time deal, I think it's okay. It's expected since both of you are coming from CDMA and don't have any spare GSM phones.

As to WP7, I'm sure it's possible and I remember seeing a few Straight Talk posters that have that on HowardForums but as you can see there's no official sticky thread there that says "How To: Straight Talk and WP7". There is one for both Android and the iPhone, however.
http://www.howardforums.com/forumdisplay.php/551-Straight-Talk
Again it doesn't necessarily mean it's not possible, it just means you may have to dig deeper if you encounter any problems because there's no step by step directions and I wouldn't now how to set APN/Network settings since I'm not a WP7 expert. I'm sure if you create a thread there about WP7, people there will be able to help you and answer any questions you may have regarding Straight Talk and WP7.

Which is why I hinted that you should port your number to Google Voice.
I've heard almost every story in the book about pre-paid carriers losing numbers during porting or when they cut you off.

While data roaming not being present is a disappointment, it should not be an expected feature.
No prepaid network has data roaming. Not AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, PagePlus, Simple Mobile, Virgin Mobile or any of the other Sprint/AT&T MVNO's. Not a single one of them. In fact, most(if not all) of those I listed don't even do voice roaming either on their pre-paid plans. Only Straight Talk does AFAIK.
If you want data roaming, you have to go back to signing post paid contract plans with the carriers.

Regarding data, AT&T has MUCH wider data coverage than T-Mobile and is what I would go with, however I've heard that T-Mobile is a bit faster if you're in their HSPA+ area and also rumor has it that they offer more generous data limits(ie: instead of them cutting you off at 2GB with AT&T sim, they might cut you off at 3GB with T-Mobile sim?).

Based on your data usage, you have nothing to be worried about.
There's nothing "shady" about it because you're well aware of the 2GB data limit now so that's not an excuse.
I would rather they cut me off than for them to charge me overage fees like they do at AT&T and Verizon.
 
Dulanic said:
I've been tempted to do the same. However I'm waiting for next gen phones to come out so the sgsii drops in price.
Click to expand...

You already have the Sprint version of the Galaxy SII...Getting the GSM version would be more of a sidegrade than anything.
If you can sell your used Sprint version and get a used GSM version for the same cost, it would work out very well for you. However buying the GSM version brand new when you already have the CDMA version? Not sure if I would recommend that...But again regardless of what you decide to do, the savings from leaving Sprint network and coming to Straight Talk are there and for that alone it may be worth it.
 
lothar said:
You already have the Sprint version of the Galaxy SII...Getting the GSM version would be more of a sidegrade than anything.
If you can sell your used Sprint version and get a used GSM version for the same cost, it would work out very well for you. However buying the GSM version brand new when you already have the CDMA version? Not sure if I would recommend that...But again regardless of what you decide to do, the savings from leaving Sprint network and coming to Straight Talk are there and for that alone it may be worth it.
Click to expand...

LOL yeah the sprint 3G around here... I can't even stream music anymore. It used to be OK, but once they got the iphone it went WAY WAY downhill. The problem is others are having the same problem and it seems difficult to even get $250 used now on ebay,where as the GSM versions are still going for $350+. I am tempted to sell the epic touch for the $250 and just pay the $420ish on ebay for a new Galaxy Nexus. Still would be worth it... I'd make up the cost difference in a couple months.
 
Last edited:
lothar said:
I completely understand your situation.

As to WP7, I'm sure it's possible and I remember seeing a few Straight Talk posters that have that on HowardForums but as you can see there's no official sticky thread there that says "How To: Straight Talk and WP7". There is one for both Android and the iPhone, however.
http://www.howardforums.com/forumdisplay.php/551-Straight-Talk
Again it doesn't necessarily mean it's not possible, it just means you may have to dig deeper if you encounter any problems because there's no step by step directions and I wouldn't now how to set APN/Network settings since I'm not a WP7 expert. I'm sure if you create a thread there about WP7, people there will be able to help you and answer any questions you may have regarding Straight Talk and WP7.
Click to expand...

WP7 on ST is possible. People are using WP7 phones on ST. The only problem is you may not be able to get mms to work right. I don't have a WP7 phone on ST so I can't comment. From what I have read there is an app in the market that allows you to edit the mms settings, but I think its not there anymore. It might be back, not sure. I am not sure if the app worked on all phones too.

Some phones let you edit the mms settings without needing anything. It all depends on the phone. There may be other ways to edit it too on xda, but I am not sure. Do a little research on WP7 phones on howardforums, you can probably get mms to work right if you read on it.
 
ImDonly1 said:
WP7 on ST is possible. People are using WP7 phones on ST. The only problem is you may not be able to get mms to work right. I don't have a WP7 phone on ST so I can't comment. From what I have read there is an app in the market that allows you to edit the mms settings, but I think its not there anymore. It might be back, not sure. I am not sure if the app worked on all phones too.

Some phones let you edit the mms settings without needing anything. It all depends on the phone. There may be other ways to edit it too on xda, but I am not sure. Do a little research on WP7 phones on howardforums, you can probably get mms to work right if you read on it.
Click to expand...
I know it is...I did acknowledge both of those points in my post that you quoted.
 
Dulanic said:
LOL yeah the sprint 3G around here... I can't even stream music anymore. It used to be OK, but once they got the iphone it went WAY WAY downhill. The problem is others are having the same problem and it seems difficult to even get $250 used now on ebay,where as the GSM versions are still going for $350+. I am tempted to sell the epic touch for the $250 and just pay the $420ish on ebay. Still would be worth it... I'd make up the cost difference in a couple months.
Click to expand...

I imagine it's only going to get worse.
Once the HTC One X is released, all the "keeping up the with the jones" people will be rushing to sell their used Epic 4G Touch to get the latest phone since the One X will be the new top dog in town.

Why pay $420 for a GSM Galaxy S II when you can get a GSM Galaxy Nexus for $430?

*EDIT*
You edited your post before I posted this originally. I had quoted your original post and went to look for something to eat and came back to continue posting.
Ignore my last line, the Galaxy S II vs. Galaxy Nexus rant.
 
Last edited:
ponyo said:
If you're using less than 1gb data right now, 2gb soft data cap should be non issue. If they cancel you, who cares. Just sign up with other prepaid companies or at worst resign contract with the evil carriers. That's what makes the GSM Galaxy Nexus so awesome. Unlocked pentaband gives you the freedom to go to any GSM carrier, prepaid or contract. And $430 is cheap for what's currently the best smartphone. People spend $200-300 all the time on subsidized 2yr contract locked phone. Paying the initial extra $130-230 is small price to pay for your freedom and to use the best smartphone.

My wife and I are on TMobile right now. When our contract expires in July, I'm dumping them for Straight Talk. I will continue to use the Galaxy Nexus but on the AT&T band. I also have unlocked 3G AT&T 7" Galaxy Tab I plan to use as phone tablet on the same SIM card. I'll just swap the SIM card back and forth as needed. My wife will use the TMobile band on Straight Talk with her Samsung Vibrant til the release of iPhone 5. Then I'll buy her unlocked IP5 directly from Apple and switch her over to the AT&T band Straight Talk.
Click to expand...

I 100% agree with that.
 
lothar said:
I imagine it's only going to get worse.
Once the HTC One X is released, all the "keeping up the with the jones" people will be rushing to sell their used Epic 4G Touch to get the latest phone since the One X will be the new top dog in town.

Why pay $420 for a GSM Galaxy S II when you can get a GSM Galaxy Nexus for $430?
Click to expand...

That was a typo on my behalf. I was refering to the nexus. I had been semi tempted to keep /w Sprint a little bit longer since I've heard from someone (a dev on XDA) that LTE is actually live in my area... but I can't see keep paying these crazy prices & upgrade fees. And really... who needs LTE? I am cool /w 3-5MB/sec download... if it's big files I will be on wifi anyways.
 
ponyo said:
If you're using less than 1gb data right now, 2gb soft data cap should be non issue. If they cancel you, who cares. Just sign up with other prepaid companies or at worst resign contract with the evil carriers. That's what makes the GSM Galaxy Nexus so awesome. Unlocked pentaband gives you the freedom to go to any GSM carrier, prepaid or contract. And $430 is cheap for what's currently the best smartphone. People spend $200-300 all the time on subsidized 2yr contract locked phone. Paying the initial extra $130-230 is small price to pay for your freedom and to use the best smartphone.

My wife and I are on TMobile right now. When our contract expires in July, I'm dumping them for Straight Talk. I will continue to use the Galaxy Nexus but on the AT&T band. I also have unlocked 3G AT&T 7" Galaxy Tab I plan to use as phone tablet on the same SIM card. I'll just swap the SIM card back and forth as needed. My wife will use the TMobile band on Straight Talk with her Samsung Vibrant til the release of iPhone 5. Then I'll buy her unlocked IP5 directly from Apple and switch her over to the AT&T band Straight Talk.
Click to expand...

If they cancel you, who cares? Wait, WHAT? You just recommended paying $430 for a Pentaband GSM phone for prepaid, then two months later they cancel you and you say, who cares?

Do you like throwing your money away? Because then you are right back to AT&T or Verizon? I have to say, some of you people really sound like total tech snobs. I have an Optimus V on Virgin, and it's not the best, but I'm satisfied overall. I don't really have anything to complain about. Calling a phone that can run ICS a "crap" phone is pretty silly, imo.

I guess if you need all your Youtube videos in 1080p, then you will be bending over for AT&T. Because yes, they will rape you.

OP, the Triumph is an ok phone. But personally, I would wait for an Evo One.
 
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