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In the market for a new phone
Zhanghia
Member UncommonPosts: 1,312
Hey guys, I know I haven't posted a lot. Got a lot of stuff going on all at once and just busy, I guess. Anyway.
Here's my predicament. I have a contract through AT&T that just came up and I can get a new phone. They offer iphones, motorola atrix 4g (which I really wanted), etc. etc. Therein lies the problem, however. To get any smart phone or even an iphone requires a data plan of which I really don't care to have, I could use my wireless or any kind of hub like McDonald's or Starbucks to connect. I basically want to lower my bottom line to the least amount so I've come to a few conclusions about what I can do.
A. This seems the least likely but potentially worth a shot: Hack the phone, granted I have voice that only costs $10 per month through a family plan, and enable local wifi and never connect out of it. I've heard tells that they have sweeps or that they'll automatically add a data plan if they see it's in use and doesn't have one. So, I'm assuming even if I did get it working. I'd be running under borrowed time.
B. Get a regular phone that isn't a smartphone, granted it isn't going to be pretty but at least I'll be able to keep my contract and not have to jump through hoops. I'm not really too set on this as my heart is really set towards option C.
C. Cancel the contract, get a prepaid smartphone; I don't text or talk a whole lot. I'd probably not use much if at all. I can always use Instant Messaging but one has to think at the end of the day if the value of $10 (from voice) to $25 (voice/data) with at&t makes it worthwhile. I can't seem to think that I'd ever use that much but I've only ever been on family contracts and $90-$200 for a phone to try something out isn't something I'm looking forward to.
Besides, I don't even know what phone to get. I'd prefer something that lasted a while and I could pay a little more if needed to. I'm very much into messing around with hacks provided there's tutorials. Not a programmer but any means but I've hacked my PSP-3000 and NDS. If this is against forum rules, I'll delete the offending text or the mods can edit. I just want to customize my phone to how I want it. I want to pretty much cause my family the least amount of hurt from my existence through cell phonage as possible.
Thank you for reading. I'll be watching this thread!
EDIT: Forgot to mention that it absolutely must have android if you recommend a phone. I'm dying to customize the heck out of it.
Comments
Do you really need mobile internet? It can be damned useful, just remember that most of us got by without it (without mobile phones in fact) for decade(s).
If yes, a pay as you go type tarrif would maybe be the answer. depends on how much you use it, or whether a budget or older phone is worth the reduction of monthly expenditure on the device.
Looking at paragraph C. I'd say p.a.y.g would be the way to go- no fixed billing, top up when you need to.
I'd advise against hacking any tech object if you have a clean slate with the law :P Also it would likely invalidate the warranty
Not sure what phone models are available in th U.S at the moment so I can't advise you there.
Anyways good luck
I would honestly wait for what Nokia will show at CES in january. They have a booth and are floor sponsor and are launching WP Mango devices in the beginning of 2012 in the US.
just read this, well ok ignore the above post then Zhan
I recommend doing some research into the Galaxy Note. You may find it interesting.
Never trust a screenshot or a youtube video without a version stamp!
Hah, was reading a review and I seemed pretty impressed. Went to look at amazon and was kind blown away by the price. $500. Well, like the reviewer said: Go big or go home. Not quite what I'm looking for but thank you for the entertaining read.
buy my att atrix 4g
fingerprint scanner picks up all the chicks!
Otterbox included, New condition
350$
For one, I don't think that the atrix is non-contracted. It's available on the upgrade website for a refurb model for $39 for a two year plan WITH data. So, yeah, kinda completely sidesteps the problem.
You'd want the Samsung Galaxy S2, it's the best mobile out there
We're all Geniuses. Most of us just don't know it.