Which phone is the phone for me?
May 8, 2011 8:50 PM   Subscribe

I need to buy a cell phone and data plan that will allow me to respond to emails while I am out quickly and easily. It would also be great if I can use MSN messenger on it. And I would like to do this as cheaply as possible. Recommendations?

I need to be able to respond to emails more or less all the time for work purposes. I actually get some work via MSN messenger as well, so a phone that has that capability would be great. I also text a decent amount, but I don't need very many minutes.

I am trying to weed through phone plans, but there is a lot out there (I also did a search on MeFi and couldn't find a recent thread quite like this one; my apologies if this is repeat!). Can anyone recommend a phone, carrier, and/or plan that would meet these needs and offer me the most bang for my buck?

Thanks for your help on this.
posted by wansac to Computers & Internet (7 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
Where do you live?
posted by auto-correct at 9:11 PM on May 8, 2011


Virgin Mobile has a $25/month plan that includes unlimited texting and data, and 300 minutes. I don't have it myself, but I know plenty of people that are happy with them.
posted by mhp at 9:14 PM on May 8, 2011


mhp: Virgin Mobile has a $25/month plan that includes unlimited texting and data, and 300 minutes. I don't have it myself, but I know plenty of people that are happy with them.

The only problem with Virgin Mobile is that they do not offer roaming. So if you travel, you may not have cell service.
posted by 47triple2 at 9:33 PM on May 8, 2011


Response by poster: I live in Seattle, WA.
posted by wansac at 9:53 PM on May 8, 2011


I know you state IM and Voice as a requirement, but if you were willing to forego those two on a single device I can't imagine you'd be able to get any cheaper than a peek and then buying a prepaid cell plan.

The peek:
http://www.getpeek.com/learn.html

Basically unlimited text and email and a few other things for about 20 dollars per month with no contract. The device costs 69.00.

It's a little off the wall, but I imagine it would be really cheap and flexible.
posted by roboton666 at 10:22 PM on May 8, 2011 [1 favorite]


I use Virgin Mobile's no-contract $25/month plan. Unlimited data, texting, internet access and 300 minutes, BUT, as someone mentioned earlier, no roaming. So it will work OK in most large areas and in the 'burbs of my smallish midwest city, but travelling is very hit or miss.
VM's phones are a bit more expensive than other carriers, but their no-contract monthly cost is a big feature to me.

Blackberry is an option with VM for another $10 a month, but I can't say how the service compares to an average VM or Blackberry experience. I do know that VM phones will not use SIM cards, if that matters to you.

Android is also an option via Samsung Intercept or LG Optimus V (which I have been considering upgrading to) for no extra cost but the phone. Battery life does suffer.

Whichever phone you choose, check the service map to make sure you will get a signal where you will be most of the time and trythe phone you buy before purchasing if possible. Good luck!
posted by Giggilituffin at 3:50 AM on May 9, 2011


loving the Virgin $40/month plan (unlimited data/texting+1200 minutes), loving Android, and loving the LG Optimus V (on amazon for $150)...do not make the mistake of getting the samsung intercept, tho...crappy for so many reasons (no graphics processor, weird-format screen (240x400) that isn't supported by the vast majority of (any) apps, janky construction, etc) but at least gave me the chance to try out typing on a touch screen (dont mind it) before i returned it. VM is on the Sprint network, (so you might want to ask some friends on sprint what their coverage is like in your area.) and the battery life on the Optimus is actually pretty awesome...all my friends who opted for superphones complain constantly about their suck battery life or cart around extra chargers and batteries just to make it through the day...i get about 2 days on the optimus with casual use (a few calls, some texting, looking a few things up on the web, surfing during lunch, etc) and never less than a solid day of heavy/constant use (listening to pandora all day, surfing at lunch, speakerphone in the car)...
just checked the android market for msn messenger...doesnt seem like theres an official app (tho google says theres one in china:/)...but it seems like theres a lot of options (like bingo! and ebuddy, both free) that do msn (and yahoo and aim and facebook and icq and etc) that'll prob do the trick for you...
posted by sexyrobot at 10:42 AM on May 9, 2011


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