New Cell phone

[Galek]

I am going to start a new cell plan using Ting.com. Has anyone ever used this or similar non mainstream carrier, Republic for instance? Thoughts on it? Ting uses the Sprint network and my area gets pretty good coverage.

More importantly I need a new phone. I have never had a smart phone but am breaking down so I can take pictures of my kids. I do not plan on using many aps or internetting. It will be used for phone calls, texts and pictures.

I am computer savvy so any operating system will work. I won't get any of the newest generation phones, and want one that will fit in my pocket not the newer ones that are basically a small tablet. I also distrust the internet, so if there is a phone that I can stop from automatically putting things on the carriers cloud that would be great.

Anybody have suggestions as to what phone I should look at? Anything you have had awful time with and want to warn to stay clear of?

 

[obie]

Straight talk wireless from walmart. get a verizon phone, $100 for a like new iphone4 craigslist all day long, i already bought 3 of them and straighttalk works like a champ. $45/month for unlimited everything.

 

[Galek]

Thanks Obie. Your right Craigslist does have a bunch of "like new" phones and at 100$ even if the battery craps out after a year thats still a better deal.

 

[Black Island Brewer]

I am going to start a new cell plan using Ting.com. Has anyone ever used this or similar non mainstream carrier, Republic for instance? Thoughts on it? Ting uses the Sprint network and my area gets pretty good coverage.

More importantly I need a new phone. I have never had a smart phone but am breaking down so I can take pictures of my kids. I do not plan on using many aps or internetting. It will be used for phone calls, texts and pictures.

I am computer savvy so any operating system will work. I won't get any of the newest generation phones, and want one that will fit in my pocket not the newer ones that are basically a small tablet. I also distrust the internet, so if there is a phone that I can stop from automatically putting things on the carriers cloud that would be great.

Anybody have suggestions as to what phone I should look at? Anything you have had awful time with and want to warn to stay clear of?

I have Republic.
Pros: low cost. $25/month plus tax (my bill is $31+) for "unlimited" meaning 5 gigs of 3G data. Also can switch plans twice a month at no cost. $10 plan is for just calls & text, with wifi required for data, and $5 plan is for calls text and data ONLY on wifi. Contract is month to month. Anyone who signs up through your personal referral link gets $20 rebate, and you get $20 credit. Is also on Sprint network. The do have a $40 4G plan. I haven't found it necessary.
Cons: you have to buy THEIR Moto phone that cannot be used with other carriers. Call quality is not on par with AT&T or Verizon.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

MVNOs are usually fine. The only thing to worry about with them is service. If you have strong service where you need it they're fine. I'm a traveller so I go all over and need coverage. VZW is the only one that covers me.

 

[brettwasbtd]

I have Republic.
Pros: low cost. $25/month plus tax (my bill is $31+) for "unlimited" meaning 5 gigs of 3G data. Also can switch plans twice a month at no cost. $10 plan is for just calls & text, with wifi required for data, and $5 plan is for calls text and data ONLY on wifi. Contract is month to month. Anyone who signs up through your personal referral link gets $20 rebate, and you get $20 credit. Is also on Sprint network. The do have a $40 4G plan. I haven't found it necessary.
Cons: you have to buy THEIR Moto phone that cannot be used with other carriers. Call quality is not on par with AT&T or Verizon.

I have had the moto x with republic wireless for about 6 months now. I really enjoy it... Constantly on the hbt app on my train ride commute . Came from years with Verizon and I will say the sprint coverage can be weak sometimes. I don't talk on the phone that often so I don't complain about coverage that much, but my wife does. She usually is in more rural areas tho and experiences a few dropped calls a week (haven't heard her complain recently so maybe it is getting better). Phone related, I came from a rock solid candy bar phone with full keyboard... Boy do I miss that keyboard! But no phone comes with a physical keyboard anymore.

But yes $31/month for each phone gets me mobile Internet (never had it before) and saves me $30 pretty month! Definitely worth it. If you are cool with the moto x or g I would recommend republic over ting for the WiFi functionality