Which smartphone for TotalWireless.com

[spncity]

Would appreciate your comments on which smartphone to choose at www.totalwireless.com. None of them are faster than 3G, but that's okay.

I'm not at all familiar with Android. I don't know if any of the versions or iterations of the OS were quirky and which were better performers.

Also, some of the choices are rumored to have screens that are hard to read in sunlight.

TIA for any comments!

Kindest regards.

 

[REWahoo]

Since the phone selection apparently varies by zip code, wanna give us a zip to plug in?

 

[REWahoo]

I'm not at all familiar with Android. I don't know if any of the versions or iterations of the OS were quirky and which were better performers.

You should be fine with Android 4.1 or higher.

 

[Rustic23]

I would pick the LG for $40. Not because it's the best phone, but because it is a cheap entry to test the market. However, this phone recondition from TracFone is only $10

 

[REWahoo]

Since the phone selection apparently varies by zip code, wanna give us a zip to plug in?

Apparently not.

Using my zip, the two phones I'd consider would be the Galaxy III or the Moto e. I've had a Galaxy III for a couple of years and it has been bulletproof. No personal experience with the Moto e but it has good ratings as an inexpensive phone.

Some of the others may turn out to be great, but my experience hasn't been good with lower-tier phones. Very frustrating to get stuck with a phone that doesn't work all that well.

 

[W2R]

[...]my experience hasn't been good with lower-tier phones. Very frustrating to get stuck with a phone that doesn't work all that well.

Lower tier? At least they are cheaper rubbish than upper tier phones.

I have an iPhone 5S, which is not relevant to the OP's question because that carrier doesn't offer it in my zip code (sorry!). I guess is an older upper tier phone, and it doesn't work all that well either. Sure, it's fine for surfing the internet, but during phone calls nobody can understand what I am saying unless I repeat several times, spell out ("C as in Charlie...") and SHOUT. I can hear them just fine, but they cannot hear me.

An internet search reveals that this is a common problem with the iPhone 5S, so common that those who have the problem find that getting a new 5S generally does not cure the problem. And what's a phone for if you cannot make phone calls on it?

I'm going to try a lower tier phone this spring, when I qualify for a new phone.

 

[Gotadimple]

I find it useful to check out the experience of users in the cell phone community. Howard Forums Mobile Community (HowardForums: Your Mobile Phone Community & Resource) is a good resource on everything cell phone - including reviews of phones and phone plans.

I'm getting ready to replace a 4-year-old phone, and if I have to buy one, I want one that will work well - not just one my cell phone carrier is willing to sell me. Plans an phones are changing very rapidly, and most carriers now are willing to let you bring your own phone.

Start researching W2R, you will be amazed at what you find.

- Rita

 

[W2R]

I find it useful to check out the experience of users in the cell phone community. Howard Forums Mobile Community (HowardForums: Your Mobile Phone Community & Resource) is a good resource on everything cell phone - including reviews of phones and phone plans.

I'm getting ready to replace a 4-year-old phone, and if I have to buy one, I want one that will work well - not just one my cell phone carrier is willing to sell me. Plans an phones are changing very rapidly, and most carriers now are willing to let you bring your own phone.

Start researching W2R, you will be amazed at what you find.

- Rita

Thanks, Rita! I will. I am so disgusted with my iPhone right now. I want something that works for phone calls, first and foremost.

 

[spncity]

Just checking back in after some errands.

I should have mentioned that the reason for scouting out a lower-cost service that uses Verizon is that we plan to travel the US in an RV. I did check a couple of different zip codes and the list of phone choices is the same.

Currently have an iPhone 4s on Sprint. But that network does not seem like a good choice for traveling. Would love to have a new iPhone on Verizon, but that means increasing monthly cost instead of lowering it... I dread the change but no doubt Android fans will tell me it's a step up, even if it's an older generation phone...

Thank you for comments so far and any yet to come.

Kindest regards.

 

[REWahoo]

spn,we use Verizon Prepaid (LG Transpyre) in our RV travels. Works well for our needs.

 

[sailor]

spncity - DW uses iPhone 4s with Page Plus (on Verizon network).
Much better coverage than my T-mobile in the boonies.

 

[hnzw_rui]

I'm a fan of the new Motorola Androids so the Moto E gets my vote. They're as close to stock as you can get without resorting to flagship Nexus devices.

Not a fan of Samsung TouchWiz. Too much bloat which slows down the phone quite a bit. I think it's improved starting with the Galaxy S5 (primarily because of upgraded CPU and RAM) but I've used S4 and older and they're way too laggy.