Best phone for $200 for Monthly 4G (9/12)

[Ticojpunk]

Last year I was considering a move to T-Mobile from Virgin. At the time I decided to stay with VM. Now I am interested in switching again.

Back then there was the (sort of lackluster) Exhibit 2, which I know is still available, and the G2X was a decent deal too.

What would you say is the best bang for 200 bucks as of September 2012? New is definitely preferred. Thanks

Sent from my LG-VM670 using Tapatalk 2

 

[chunkcohen]

Well, $200 won't really get you anything remarkable brand new.

The Galaxy S Blaze 4G is the king of the stable for their Monthly 4G phones - it's $300, but it does include a $50 refill card right now. So, it's technically $250 considering you'd be buying airtime anyway. If you were willing to stretch that extra $50, you'd be getting the only dual-core prepaid phone T-Mo sells.

Other than that, the Exhibit is the next best 4G Android they have at $180 (also includes a $50 refill card). But like you already said, it's nothing spectacular.

 

[Ticojpunk]

Thanks. I ended up going with the Exhibit 2 for now. The $179 with $50 card included just seemed like a really good deal to me, and it's a good way for me to get introduced to T-Mobile coverage/speed in my area. Virgin Mobile is the devil I know more or less. So though they've served me well, I'm well aware of the shortcomings when it comes to service and especially network speed. T-Mobile is still an unknown quantity to me at the moment, so the cheaper price of the Exhibit 2 will do the job for now. If I decide to move on to another phone, I can always sell the Exhibit on eBay without much loss considering the sale price and free $50 card it comes with. Thanks for the input.

 

[Ticojpunk]

Since switching to T-Mobile, I've been very happy. And the Galaxy Exhibit is not a bad phone, but I find myself craving a little more.

Things that stick out for me as things I'd like are...

1.) Faster processor. Even with Peach Sunrise, I still experience some slowdown and lag, especially when running the camera or anything like that.
2.) Slighty bigger screen. I find the 3.7" just a hair too small. I like smaller phones though, so I really only need around 4" or so to be satisfied.
3.) Better camera. The pictures the Exhibit takes really aren't that bad, but I'm always looking to step things up a little bit. Also, HD video recording would be nice.

The Galaxy S Blaze 4G is sure looking like a good solution for me. Currently priced at $299 with a $100 refill card, it's basically $199. It seems to really fit my needs, without increasing the size of my phone all that much over the Exhibit. I was eyeing the Nexus 4, but honestly, with no SD card slot, I'd need the 16GB version, and that'll be near $400 after tax and shipping. And I honestly don't really need or want a screen as big as that either.

I figure I could also sell my Exhibit and pocket right around $100, make the Blaze a $100 upgrade from what I currently have.

Just wondering if anyone has any opinions on this move? I don't want to rush into it, but it does seem like it could be a good thing. Thanks!

 

[PWC Realtor]

If you can be patient and watch Craigslist I'm starting to see used Galaxy Nexus phones coming up in the $200-250 range. Plus there is that since it's unlock tethering should work (unless T-Mobile notices and flags your account)

 

[Ticojpunk]

If you can be patient and watch Craigslist I'm starting to see used Galaxy Nexus phones coming up in the $200-250 range. Plus there is that since it's unlock tethering should work (unless T-Mobile notices and flags your account)

I'm definitely in no rush. Waiting is never a bad idea. However, I am kind of shying away from any larger screened phones. I really like the size of my Galaxy Exhibit, but 4" would be nice. I use SwiftKey, and when in Tapatalk, landscape mode, I have to switch the keyboard size to small in order to see the text I'm typing. That little extra might be the difference in a case like that.

In any case, after looking over reviews, the one place where I'm unimpressed is the camera on the Blaze. Yeah, another 2MP, but I don't think it's necessarily any better (and certainly not faster (shutter-speed) than the Exhibit. Not from the reviews I've read and seen anyway.

 

[PWC Realtor]

Yeah the larger screen takes getting used to but I like using SwiftKey on the GNex screen especially when I set the portrait key height to large.

Another option might be the One S and now that T-Mobile is selling it for free on contract that may devalue used ones more. Bonus there is that the One S is DC-HSPA 42

 

[tube517]

Since switching to T-Mobile, I've been very happy. And the Galaxy Exhibit is not a bad phone, but I find myself craving a little more.

Things that stick out for me as things I'd like are...

1.) Faster processor. Even with Peach Sunrise, I still experience some slowdown and lag, especially when running the camera or anything like that.
2.) Slighty bigger screen. I find the 3.7" just a hair too small. I like smaller phones though, so I really only need around 4" or so to be satisfied.
3.) Better camera. The pictures the Exhibit takes really aren't that bad, but I'm always looking to step things up a little bit. Also, HD video recording would be nice.

The Galaxy S Blaze 4G is sure looking like a good solution for me. Currently priced at $299 with a $100 refill card, it's basically $199. It seems to really fit my needs, without increasing the size of my phone all that much over the Exhibit. I was eyeing the Nexus 4, but honestly, with no SD card slot, I'd need the 16GB version, and that'll be near $400 after tax and shipping. And I honestly don't really need or want a screen as big as that either.

I figure I could also sell my Exhibit and pocket right around $100, make the Blaze a $100 upgrade from what I currently have.

Just wondering if anyone has any opinions on this move? I don't want to rush into it, but it does seem like it could be a good thing. Thanks!

I like the Exhibit alot. Had it for a couple of months. But, like you, I needed a little more. I caved and got a Galaxy Nexus. Prices are going down due to the release of the Nexus4. When I got the GNex, I just stuck my sim card in it and it was ready. Bigger screen, rooted, all the Google updates (going to flash the 4.2.1 tonight), very fast and smooth. And HSPA+ is giving me close to 10 mbps down.

I was also considering the Blaze. Prices for those are also down if you want to buy used. I got my GNex on Swappa and it was in near mint condition

 

[intoaction66]

I just went through this looking for a phone for my girlfriends little sister. Out of the phones you can buy in store, id say the huawei made mytouch q is the best pre paid phone in that price, $210

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Android Central Forums

 

[PWC Realtor]

I just went through this looking for a phone for my girlfriends little sister. Out of the phones you can buy in store, id say the huawei made mytouch q is the best pre paid phone in that price, $210

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Android Central Forums

I'm seeing used GNexes selling as low as 220. At that point the only reason to go with a My touch is if you have to have the smaller screen and or hardware keyboard.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Android Central Forums

 

[ztmike]

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus unlocked GSM 16GB is a no brainer for someone wanting a good phone and vanilla Android ..and its still getting updated straight from Google. At $200-275 on Craigslist this is the best deal for someone.

Sent from my Nexus 4 16GB using Tapatalk 2

 

[PWC Realtor]

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus unlocked GSM 16GB is a no brainer for someone wanting a good phone and vanilla Android ..and its still getting updated straight from Google. At $200-275 on Craigslist this is the best deal for someone.

Sent from my Nexus 4 16GB using Tapatalk 2

I just sold my Galaxy Nexus on Craigslist for $250 almost new with the box and accessories just as a real life reference point.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

 

[VDub2174]

The GNex is a great device and I've read a lot of good things when poeple match it up with T-Mobile monthly plans.