Sometimes I think I'm one of the few people who don't have a smart phone yet. I'm still using a Motorola Razr, which was the $h!tz a few years ago with its super slim design and built-in camera. I hardly use it--don't make much calls and don't usually answer calls, not even chicks. Just don't like talking on the phone much. I feel like I'm wasting about $37 a month on AT&T for a service I don't use much but still need for convenience. A year or two ago I met a chick and she liked texting. I found out that AT&T charged you for each text message made. So I spent $5 more per month for texting.

Anyway, that being said, I've been entertaining the idea of getting a smart phone but don't want to pay an extra $15 (minimum) for data service. I've been tempted by AT&T's deals on the Samsung Captivate for $50 or sometimes FREE if you renew for another 2 years. The 2 years I don't ming, it's just having to pay the extra $15 a month that I don't like.

So, I was wondering if I could buy a smart phone new or used for a good price (I know they will be anywhere between $150 - $300 if I but the phone without a plan)and just swap my AT&T SIM card into it. Will that work? Based on what I've read, I will need to get an unlocked phone.

Anyone have recommendations on which smart phone to get? I'm thinking of Samsung Captivate or HTC. I just don't know which model is the most recent or the best in terms of picture quality and internet surfing.

Walmart Straight Talk....unlimited talk, text and mobile web access ..$45 a month and no contract, pay as you go month to month. Nice phone selection or you can get a T-Mobile phone on ebay. T-Mobile is Walmart's cell provider.

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"Life is tough...it's even tougher if you're stupid." John Wayne


Dave
Pawleys Island, SC

'79 300CD

Not long ago I bought a Treo 680, put my sim card in it, and rocked. I sync'ed in my calendar and contacts via USB and it kept my life in order (I need a smartphone or PDA for this).
So the answer is yes, you can run a smartphone on an existing SIM card with no data plan.
If you do this, be careful that your phone doenst start asking for data (background apps?) and sneaking it past you, until you see the charges on your bill (I made sure that my plan did not allow data even if I tried).

I have no experience with modern smartphones save my blackberry. You really need to ask yourself (and answer for us):
"What do I want a smartphone for ?"
Games ? apps ? personal organization ? mp3 player ? nude photo's of self to send to women in your constituency ? (lol). That should dictate what phone you buy more than anything else.

picture quality and surfing - when you see a phone you are interested in, go to the internet and find its software version, processor speed (in Mhz....) and video resolution- CNET has good reviews about most all phones with this data packed in. You'll see what costs what and what you get for your money.

-John

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2009 Kia Sedona
2009 Honda Odyssey EX-L
12006 Jetta Pumpe Duse
(insert Mercedes here)

Husband, Father, sometimes friend =)

Smartphones simplify your life, particularly as a business tool. I have a droid and use email, phone, texting, and web access often. I also have a full calendar, schedule appontments and even have one app loaded where I can take a picture of someone's business card and all the contact info automatically gets saved in the appropriate fields in my contact manager.

Need directions to an appointment? Push one button and the contact address is imported into the maps/navigation and will give verbal turn by turn directions and an ETA.

Very worthwhile investment!

I'm thinking about getting an Iphone soon since all the flip phones these days are crap.

They are not to bad, about $100 a month, but I talk a lot so I need a lot of minutes.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Mainly I was looking for a small wifi portable like the iPod Touch, but then I discovered that I can buy a smartphone and just swap in my SIM card and get the best of both worls, maybe three: phone, Internet, and mp3 player.

By buying without a contract, I can bypass the data fee and use wifi at any place that offers free wifi. Sure it would be nice to have wifi anywhere, but I can live without this feature.

I'm looking at the Samsung Captivate. The screen is more vivid than the iphone. Cheaper too.

About to get a NEW Samsung Captivate lockked for AT&T (that's the carrier I use anyway). Seller said it's brand new and has Android 2.2 from factory. Asking $245 but getting it for $230.

Questions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What's the latest Android version? Is 2.2 stone age or standard now?

Can I put in my AT&T SIM card into this phone and use it right away? Because I won't be getting the phone from AT&T, does this eman I will avoid data fee?

I can use the internet when there is WiFi signal, right? That's all I need. Don't care for internet 24/7 and having to pay $15 minimum for data access.

Is $230 a good price?