value phone w/ explanation inside

[xaeniac]

My iphone 3gs is starting to fail. I do not have to be on the cutting edge, but I like a phone that will do similar things that the iphone 3gs can. I mainly use it for voice/text, but like how I can import google contacts into it. I am looking for a non-Apple phone that is a good bang for buck. The phone can be refurbished/used. Will not enter a contract, etc, etc. Budget $100-150.

 

[pcsavvy]

The Lumia 521 is for sale at the $130 brand new at Walmart and some online vendors and is non-contract with T-Mobile. It is a Windows 8 phone.

 

[Joe1986]

Carrier?

 

[notposting]

Lumia 521 +1

 

[xaeniac]

Carrier?

ATT

 

[Chocu1a]

Galaxy S3. Still a very capable powerful phone. Has android jellybean 4.1.2., a large 4.8" screen, super thin and light.
You can pick up a used one for around 225-250.
Oops, did not see the budget.

 

[T2urtle]

$100-150 market is kinda slim pickings. Most are a little on the dated side. Pretty much I would cruise on eBay and see what keeps showing up.

I've been trying to find a Motorola atrix HD. For $150 but they seem to sell for $175-190. Its a good phone with LTE. But still a solid phone.

 

[gmaster456]

Atrix HD used can be had for $150 if you don't mind it being scuffed like the less expensive ones usually are. There's the Galaxy S2 that can be had around $130 used as well. It is getting a little long in the tooth but still 2 years newer than your 3GS during a time when great advances were being made. Best of all, Samsung released Jellybean for it.

If you can go for the Atrix HD do it. And I wouldn't go with anything less than the Galaxy S2.

 

[dagamer34]

The Lumia 521 is for sale at the $130 brand new at Walmart and some online vendors and is non-contract with T-Mobile. It is a Windows 8 phone.

Ditto, unlocked Nokia Lumia 521 pretty much fits the bill. Everything else will never be as performance or recent on $120 hardware.

 

[RossMAN]

LG Optimus L9 for $160

Samsung Galaxy Exhibit for $150

You may need to get them unlocked but bang for your buck it's hard to beat these.

 

[pantsaregood]

Lumia 521.

 

[AstroManLuca]

The Lumia 521 is absolutely the best value for what you want to do. The only issue is that, although it can work on AT&T, it has to be unlocked first (otherwise it will only work on T-Mobile and T-Mobile based carriers). In order to unlock it, you will need to meet some requirements and then you can call T-Mobile support and they can start the process for you.

http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-1588

It looks intimidating, but it appears as though, if you buy the phone outright and are on a prepaid plan, all you have to do is put $50 on it and use it at least once.

One thing to consider is that a low-end Windows phone will perform much better than a low-end Android phone. It's a much lighter OS.