Use GSMArena to compare the phones, but as Laura said, the Lifeline program takes and refurbishes phones from anywhere they can get them, so you can get an old top of the line phone or an old bottom of the line phone. As long as the phone works, and can get voice and 3G data (or better), you make do with it. GSMArena will give you an idea of what to expect from it, but you don't get to choose it.