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Smartphone recommendation please?

U

ualdriver

Member
We want to get smartphones for my middle-school aged kids for Christmas. I don't want to get them iPhones as I want them to learn a different OS besides Apple. I want to get them a quality phone, but not spend more than 300 bucks per phone (last year's model). It must work with T-Mobile (prefer unlocked), and it must work with T-Mobile's LTE network.

What do you all recommend? So far, the best I'm coming up with Motorola Moto 4G, Universal 4G LTE, unlocked, 8GB internal RAM, for $199 new on Amazon.

Recommendations appreciated. Thanks.
 
I was about to suggest the Moto G LTE model but it looks like you're already considering that. Good starter smartphone and a solid choice for anyone on a budget.
 
Moto G is probably your best bet for Android. The only other acceptable one might be the Avant, but there really isn't much of anything there that's better than the G.

Also look at the Lumia 635, if Windows Phone is acceptable. For a $100 (no contract) phone, it runs very smoothly (better than the Moto G IMO). It does have some dowsides: no front-facing camera, low resolution (but otherwise very nice) screen, and the app gap persists in quality if less so in total availability.
 
Isn't the current Moto G LTE model based on the first generation phone and not the recently released 2nd generation Moto G? What does everyone think, is the upgrade to LTE more important than the upgraded features of the 2nd gen phone? Curious about this myself.

Also, correct me if I am wrong, neither Moto G will support T-Mobile's wifi calling.

-KeithP
 
You can't beat the price for Republic Wireless and its Android Motorola phones. Unlimited talk/text for 13 ish a month is cheaper than most flip phones.

But if you want, this is generally how I rank them...

1. Apple
2. Nokia
3. HTC
4. Motorola
5. Sony/LG
6/dead last. Samsung

If you are doing a byod on T-Mobile there are often very good deals on used HTC phones on eBay. Nokia also has very good low end options.
 
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KeithP said:
Isn't the current Moto G LTE model based on the first generation phone and not the recently released 2nd generation Moto G? What does everyone think, is the upgrade to LTE more important than the upgraded features of the 2nd gen phone? Curious about this myself.

Also, correct me if I am wrong, neither Moto G will support T-Mobile's wifi calling.

-KeithP
Click to expand...
Yes it is the Moto G lte is from the first generation. Both the first and second gen Moto G's use the same chipset and memory configuration, the only real difference is the second gen uses a larger screen and better camera. Personally I would take the bigger screen and better camera over LTE, but it's a matter of preference.
 
KeithP said:
Isn't the current Moto G LTE model based on the first generation phone and not the recently released 2nd generation Moto G? What does everyone think, is the upgrade to LTE more important than the upgraded features of the 2nd gen phone? Curious about this myself.

Also, correct me if I am wrong, neither Moto G will support T-Mobile's wifi calling.

-KeithP
Click to expand...

desura said:
You can't beat the price for Republic Wireless and its Android Motorola phones. Unlimited talk/text for 13 ish a month is cheaper than most flip phones.

But if you want, this is generally how I rank them...

1. Apple
2. Nokia
3. HTC
4. Motorola
5. Sony/LG
6/dead last. Samsung

If you are doing a byod on T-Mobile there are often very good deals on used HTC phones on eBay. Nokia also has very good low end options.
Click to expand...

vshah said:
consider used HTC M7 too. great speakers, i'm sure your kids will enjoy that for youtube/music.
Click to expand...

All through cpacini.....thanks. I'll be researching all of these choices tonight. I think I'm leaning towards the Moto G with LTE though. It seems like a good price point considering the features.
 
Second the 635 as a good starter phone. I toyed with one briefly when they were available for $80 at BB & Amazon, which the MS store was willing to match. Ended up returning it and getting the L830 on launch day - overpriced a bit for the specs (unless you are actually thinking about buying the Fitbit that they include for free), but pretty cool overall.
 
cpacini said:
Yes it is the Moto G lte is from the first generation. Both the first and second gen Moto G's use the same chipset and memory configuration, the only real difference is the second gen uses a larger screen and better camera. Personally I would take the bigger screen and better camera over LTE, but it's a matter of preference.
Click to expand...

This is a good post, and i can understand not caring about lte as hspa+ is very fast on its own.

Another positive in favor of the newer Moto G is the inclusion of a micro sd slot.
 
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ImDonly1 said:
There are other options (S4, M7, G2).
LG G2 (att model, but can be unlocked, no aws 3G, but full att/t-mobile lte)
http://www.microcenter.com/product/420921/G2_16GB_-_Black_(AT-T)
Click to expand...

That G2 is compelling and that's an excellent price for a brand new one- cheapest I've seen. Looks like an excellent deal. But I didn't think it was compatible with T-Mobile LTE? I thought I had read that somewhere, but I guess I was wrong.

**When you say no aws 3G, what does that mean exactly?

I also looked on eBay and saw that one can buy unlock codes for the G2 for a couple of bucks. Are those legit?
 
ualdriver said:
That G2 is compelling and that's an excellent price for a brand new one- cheapest I've seen. Looks like an excellent deal. But I didn't think it was compatible with T-Mobile LTE? I thought I had read that somewhere, but I guess I was wrong.

**When you say no aws 3G, what does that mean exactly?

I also looked on eBay and saw that one can buy unlock codes for the G2 for a couple of bucks. Are those legit?
Click to expand...

T-mobile uses 1700 and 2100 for 3G. 1700 and 2100 = AWS bands. These used to be their primary 3G bands. If a phone did not have these, then you would not get 3G on t-mobile. About a year ago or more, they started rolling out 3G on 1900 band, so pretty much any ATT phone (ATT uses 850 and 1900 for 3G) will get 3G on t-mobile now. So now t-mobile uses 1700/2100 and 1900 for 3G.

The 1900 band might not be rolled out everywhere? And you are only getting access to 1 band instead of all of them, so your coverage/signal may not be as good. You would get full LTE though as the G2 supports all the bands for att and t-mobile. So if you are in a strong LTE market and barely ever go into 3G, you probably won't notice a difference.

Yes the unlock codes for $2 are good.

Here is what wikipedia lists for bands on the lg g2
ATT version d800
2g - GSM 850/900/1800/1900,
3g - UMTS 850/1900/2100
LTE - 1900(2)/1700(4)/850(5)/700(17)

and t-mobile d801
2g - GSM 850/900/1800/1900,
3g - UMTS 850/1700/1900/2100
LTE - 1900(2)/1700(4)/700(17)

So notice the bands are all the same except the att version doesn't have 1700 for 3g. All the t-mobile lte bands are on the att version.
 
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ImDonly1 said:
T-mobile uses 1700 and 2100 for 3G. 1700 and 2100 = AWS bands. These used to be their primary 3G bands. If a phone did not have these, then you would not get 3G on t-mobile. About a year ago or more, they started rolling out 3G on 1900 band, so pretty much any ATT phone (ATT uses 850 and 1900 for 3G) will get 3G on t-mobile now. So now t-mobile uses 1700/2100 and 1900 for 3G.

The 1900 band might not be rolled out everywhere? And you are only getting access to 1 band instead of all of them, so your coverage/signal may not be as good. You would get full LTE though as the G2 supports all the bands for att and t-mobile. So if you are in a strong LTE market and barely ever go into 3G, you probably won't notice a difference.

Yes the unlock codes for $2 are good.

Here is what wikipedia lists for bands on the lg g2
ATT version d800
2g - GSM 850/900/1800/1900,
3g - UMTS 850/1900/2100
LTE - 1900(2)/1700(4)/850(5)/700(17)

and t-mobile d801
2g - GSM 850/900/1800/1900,
3g - UMTS 850/1700/1900/2100
LTE - 1900(2)/1700(4)/700(17)

So notice the bands are all the same except the att version doesn't have 1700 for 3g. All the t-mobile lte bands are on the att version.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for that explanation and the description of the frequency bands. I think I'm leaning towards that G2 now instead of the Moto 4G.

EDIT: Bummer! That G2 in the link above is now $464 🙁 I guess I missed that deal!
 
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Check out a local Micro Center if you have one nearby. I saw it today for $230 or something at the store after reading this thread. Forgot about the G2's amazingly thin bezels. By far the thinnest bezels (edit: I was wrong. That honor goes to Sharp Aquos Crystal) Though the G2's skins are really silly and tasteless.

Nexus 5 gets my vote even though it is $50 above your budget.

Edit: Moto X Developer Edition 32 GB $ 289 This phone was $650 merely a year ago and is closest thing to the Nexus phones. Compatible with T-Mobile networks -> http://support.t-mobile.com/thread/63681
 
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lopri said:
Check out a local Micro Center if you have one nearby. I saw it today for $230 or something at the store after reading this thread. Forgot about the G2's amazingly thin bezels. By far the thinnest bezels (edit: I was wrong. That honor goes to Sharp Aquos Crystal) Though the G2's skins are really silly and tasteless.

Nexus 5 gets my vote even though it is $50 above your budget.

Edit: Moto X Developer Edition 32 GB $ 289 This phone was $650 merely a year ago and is closest thing to the Nexus phones. Compatible with T-Mobile networks -> http://support.t-mobile.com/thread/63681
Click to expand...

Thanks....will give them a call and see
 
The Nokia 635 is good phone. Windows runs smoothly with no problems and Nokia includes some nice apps. Also Microsoft will update Windows 8 phones to Windows 10 for free when 10 is available. Lot of the major apps are available with Windows phones.
 
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