• From: NC, USA
  • Registered: 2010-08-09
  • Posts: 35

Topic: smartphone plans

I'd like to get a android phone, but really don't want to pay for an $80/month plan.  Stupid complaint, I know, but hear me out.
With my current phone (an older smartphone with no data plan) I make a few calls a day, generally less than 10 I'd guess, and most are short "don't forget the milk" "I'll be home a bit later today" type calls.  If I make any long calls they are in the evening (free nights) or during the weekend.  Same with text messages, I average maybe 3 a day.
My main reasons for want fancy phone would be for helpful apps, checking emails etc.  I really don't call people all that often.  I just like the idea of a little portable computer type thing for syncing calendars, directions, etc.

In short, I just want a dataplan plus around 200 minutes a month.  That or a sneaky work around to use voip or something.
T-mobile has a data only plan, but it is data ONLY, no nights or weekends, .45c a minute.  That won't do unless there is some way to only make/recieve calls over IP somehow.  (which I assume tmobile thought about, and thus isnt possible)

Is there any provider/plan that gives me a few minutes, and data?  Everything I can find is focused on unlimited everything.

tl,dr I have no friends to use minutes with, I just want interweb.  Ideas?

  • From: Cambridge, MA, USA
  • Registered: 2010-01-12
  • Posts: 100

Re: smartphone plans

I have considered the idea of getting smartphone and using its 'smart' capabilities only with wi-fi. I currently have a barebones Nokia with the T-Mobile prepaid plan (the best prepaid plan for infrequent phone use in the USA). One could use that SIM card in a smartphone to keep the cheap voice+text deal, and use the rest of the phone's features only when near a free wi-fi connection. Things like a calendar and even viewing maps can be done without having an active connection.

The financial hitch here is that unlocked, unsubsidized phones are pricey. Though, if you compare to the cost of a locked-in monthly contract that you might not need to fully take advantage of, it's nothing.

Last edited by atomicbricks (2010-08-27 19:39:41)

  • From: NC, USA
  • Registered: 2010-08-09
  • Posts: 35

Re: smartphone plans

thats an interesting option I hadnt thought of.  Though I think I would want the 3g internet.  I dug around and it looks like tmobile has something for 55 dollars, which is twice us much as what I have now, but its half what my fiance pays for her phone.

Anyone have any practical experience on the difference between something like the nexus one/samsung vibrant/insert top-o-line-phone, and something more like the mytouch/htc magic?  Do I really need a 1Ghz processor in a phone?  the computer I'm using right now isnt much faster tongue.  Basically, whats the day to day difference between high end smart phone and an older/less fast one?

  • Registered: 2008-12-13
  • Posts: 1,480

Re: smartphone plans

I have a G1 and it's works fine, but it is a little sluggish most of the time. It's fully functional though so it just depends on your patience I guess. When I say sluggish it's not like crawling or anything....just a noticable delay between when I press something and when it executes. (this is on a rooted g1 with cyanogen mod) So you can definitely get by with a slower phone, but for convenience I would probably recommend a faster one.

I say never be complete, I say stop being perfect, I say lets evolve, let the chips fall where they may.
  • Registered: 2010-03-14
  • Posts: 6

Re: smartphone plans

2nd to what Iggy said.

I bought a used G1 unlocked from Ebay for 175$ to root and install CyanogenMod 6 (which is derived from Android Froyo 2.2 the newest version).

Even overclocked it's still got some minor delays and occasional reboots.

Unfortunately to get something with a snapdragon 1Ghz processor you'll have to shell out more money, ie ~400.  In this price range you could also buy a new N900 Nokia and do a full ported ARM install of Debian.. perhaps make it the first ARM version of #! smile

As for data plans, I think 55$ is gonna be about as low as you can get. It would also help to merge your plan into a family plan w/ GF/kids, whoever to keep costs low.

Good luck and keep us posted on what you decide. If you want tips on modding an Android phone, I'd be happy to share what I know.

  • From: Minnesota, USA
  • Registered: 2009-10-03
  • Posts: 83

Re: smartphone plans

I've been using Virgin Mobile's LG Rumor Touch ($150 new) for a few months and am *very* pleased with it. Nice touchpad, nice little slide-out keyboard. I downloaded the Opera Mini browser and it works great. Google Maps is built-in, and you can get Google Navigator for an extra $10/mo. or just turn it on a day at a time for $3/day. 

No contract. $25.00 per month includes 300 anytime minutes and unlimited text, data and web. If you need more talk time you can switch up to $40/mo for 1200 minutes. They offer several apps but I haven't looked at them since I'm happy with what I've got. 

Virgin is owned by Sprint, so it's on the Sprint network.

http://www.virginmobileusa.com/cell-pho … -plans.jsp

-D&F  big_smile

eeepc 1005PEB dual-boot Win7/Crunchified Mint 10.04 LTS
Sometimes it's better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.
  • From: NC, USA
  • Registered: 2010-08-09
  • Posts: 35

Re: smartphone plans

The tmobile plan I have doesnt have texts, but it's my understanding that I can use google voice for free texts.  And that gVoice is pretty well integrated with android.

The G1 might be a good option.  All the N1s on ebay are 4-500, while G1s are about 120.  I use a netbook as my main computer (except when I need a desktop for ripping dvds), so a little lag on app loading isnt terrible.  #! on the phone would sweet, but if I can get good usable phone for a fraction of the cost, I'd go that route.

I'll look into virgin as well.  Thanks for all the tips.

edit: on the G1 can one install a software keyboard for quick "dinner @ 7" messages, without opening up the slider?

Last edited by freedomweasel (2010-08-29 14:34:51)

  • Awebb
  • #! Die-hard
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2009-07-23
  • Posts: 2,308

Re: smartphone plans

80 bucks a month for a data plan? Holy cow... First time I didn't feel like "Woah, I should move to the US, everything I like is cheaper there!"

But that virgin mobile thingy looks sweet. Does it have unlimited traffic with bandwidth cap after, say, 1 GiB?

I'm so meta, even this acronym
  • From: New Amsterdam, U.S.
  • Registered: 2010-06-13
  • Posts: 425

Re: smartphone plans

When I'm due for a new phone in two years I'll probably get the latest Droid and swap out the OS b/c Google is evil.

XFCE User ~ Linux Abuser ~ Rubbish Refuser
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  • pvsage
  • Internal Affairs
  • Offline
  • From: Section Six
  • Registered: 2009-10-18
  • Posts: 4,912

Re: smartphone plans

freedomweasel wrote:

edit: on the G1 can one install a software keyboard for quick "dinner @ 7" messages, without opening up the slider?

I don't understand why opening up the slider would be such a big deal...

while ( ! ( succeed = try() ) );
  • From: NC, USA
  • Registered: 2010-08-09
  • Posts: 35

Re: smartphone plans

pvsage wrote:
freedomweasel wrote:

edit: on the G1 can one install a software keyboard for quick "dinner @ 7" messages, without opening up the slider?

I don't understand why opening up the slider would be such a big deal...

It wouldn't at all.  I just know that on my fiance's phone it has a slider qwerty and a software one so if you just need to type 1 or 2 words it's a little faster/easier.  Also gives you the option to use swype which I hear is pretty neat.

  • From: Minnesota, USA
  • Registered: 2009-10-03
  • Posts: 83

Re: smartphone plans

@awebb: Re your "Does it have unlimited traffic with bandwidth cap after, say, 1 GiB?" question, you'll have to talk to someone at virgin mobile who sports a much larger brain than mine.

All I can tell you is that I get overall terrific web connection in Minneapolis and other metro areas, and am especially pleased that I regularly can fire up Opera Mini and read the news while taking my morning dump in the mens room deep inside a large corporate building.:D 

Cheers!

-D&F

eeepc 1005PEB dual-boot Win7/Crunchified Mint 10.04 LTS
Sometimes it's better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.