[AKC15_99]

I am looking for a good android device, Google hangouts, Snapchat, Instagram, that i can use without subscribing to a plan for $100-$150.

I am a android newbie, have never owned a android device so please excuse my lack of knowledge.

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! You could get a prepaid Moto G from Verizon. I recently bought one one sale from Best Buy for $20, although they're usually around $40-50 when not on sale. It only has 8 GB of internal storage, which means only about 5 GB that's available to the user--but it works well as a wi-fi device. It's pretty easy to skip the Verizon activation, after which you can turn on Airplane Mode to prevent the phone from trying to continue activating.

[FIN123123]

Samsung galaxy s3 mini, it's got a similar screen size to an iPod

[AKC15_99]

Would the phone still be tied to Verizon? Would i still have to go through the phone activation process if i wanted to use if as a WiFi only device?

[B. Diddy]

It's still tied to Verizon, but as I mentioned before, its pretty easy to skip the activation. If you never want to use it as a phone on a network, then you just keep it on Airplane Mode.

On the Verizon prepaid Moto G, here's how you skip activation:

1. Power on for the first time.
2. Start going through the Setup Wizard.
3. When it gets to the Verizon activation screen, swipe down from the top of the screen to get the notification panel. With the notification panel down, you should see the navigation softkeys appear at the bottom. Tap the Recent Apps button.
4. You shouldn't see any Recent Apps--the screen should be blank. Tap anywhere on the blank screen, and it should dump you to the homescreen.
5. Once you're on the homescreen, swipe down from the top with two fingers, and turn on Airplane Mode. That should prevent the phone from bugging you to activate from now on.
6. After Airplane Mode is turned on, you can still turn on wi-fi or Bluetooth.

[AKC15_99]

So would it be better to just buy an (unlocked) Moto G and never install a sim card?

[B. Diddy]

Better? I don't think so. Maybe less initial hassle, but a new unlocked Moto G will run you around $150-$200 depending on the version, while I got this one from Best Buy (on sale) for $20.

[AKC15_99]

Okay, That makes sense. I looked up the Moto G and watched a video about a Prepaid Moto G being used on wifi only and the person who was doing the review said that when you reboot the phone you have to bypass the activation process again. Is this true?

[B. Diddy]

I haven't encountered that. If the phone is on Airplane Mode when you power down, it will be on Airplane Mode again when you power back up. Just tested it out to confirm.