HTC Wildfire S

The HTC Wildfire S is unquestionably the best go-to phone for those preferring to keep track of their phone budget with a prepaid mobile plan. This sleek device runs on the latest Android platform, so you have instant access to thousands of apps on the Android Market.

The Wildfire S also features a 3.2-inch touchscreen and five-megapixel camera for capturing important moments. One of the lightest, stylish, and most fun smartphones, the HTC Wildfire S is perfect for anyone who loves the freedom of searching the web from their phone – without the commitment of a long-term contract (available via Virgin Mobile).

HTC Status

The HTC Status is a shortcut to the connections you crave. Basically, it’s everything a social network junkie wants in a phone. The Status (undoubtedly inspired by the “Facebook status”) allows you to instantly share priceless photos and videos to Facebook with the touch of a button. Literally. The phone comes with a branded Facebook share button underneath its QWERTY keyboard.

Whenever you make or receive a call, your friend’s profile picture and most recent status update will appear on the call screen. And if it’s their birthday that week, you’ll see that, too. The five-megapixel camera comes loaded with effects to make your photos look like they’ve been taken through special lenses and filters before sharing to Facebook. And with front and rear facing cameras, you can take self-portraits and photos with friends without the guesswork (available via AT&T prepaid plans).

HTC HD7S

The HTC HD7S is great for taking care of business, keeping up with friends, or catching up on your latest show. Without leaning too much to much toward any particular “specialty,” the HD7S gives you everything you need to manage your personal and professional life on a big, impressive screen. The home screen allows you to balance everything, with a Hub for keeping tabs on any area – kind of like picture-in-picture for your phone.

Because it’s a Microsoft Windows phone, you’re equipped with Outlook Mobile for any email needs, along with all the other perks Microsoft offers. And it all comes together in one slim design so you can get the job done and get on with life (also available via AT&T).

HTC Freestyle GoPhone

The HTC Freestyle AT&T GoPhone is simple and user friendly, but won’t captivate you with any impressive features. This is a great option for anyone who wants the essential communication features a phone offers without any of the frills of a smartphone, including Internet connection. It’s inexpensive, and because it’s available as a prepaid phone, it won’t break the bank each month. As you’d expect from a relatively basic phone, the Freestyle’s address book keeps contacts organized with up to three phone numbers per contact, email address, street address, birthday, notepad, and URL options.

In addition, the phone includes a calendar, text and multimedia messaging, a calculator, and an alarm clock, and quite a few other handy features can be downloaded from AT&T’s AppCenter. Again, this isn’t one of those phones with all the bells and whistles, but it definitely has what it takes to get the job done (unless the job requires a Wi-Fi connection).

HTC Desire

If you’re in the market for a T-Mobile HTC prepaid phone, you might want to do a little research before jumping in. T-Mobile doesn’t have HTC phones directly available as a prepaid option through their website, but certain “unlocked” HTC phones are compatible with T-Mobile and can be used with a prepaid plan. Again, check with a local T-Mobile store or inquire online before making a purchase. If everything checks out, the HTC Desire (also available on US Cellular) is a great smartphone that’s works on the T-Mobile network.

This phone delivers intense brilliance, sharp contrast, and true colors on the expansive 3.7-inch display. This phone is designed to keep you connected by simplifying your social networks into its Friend Stream, which consolidates your interaction with friends across multiple social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr and brings them into a single easy-to-follow stream of updates, photo posts, and shared links.

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

Still, there are reasons to get a phone beyond cost. If you’re thinking about a prepaid Android smartphone but are still unsure, here are a few good reasons to get one.

1. Organization

It’s much easier to keep your life organized with a smartphone. The biggest reason is that it’s always with us. Back in the day people used to tote around daily planners, which helped them keep appointments and other to-do items in order. Smartphones accomplish that same end, except they’re much smaller and are easier to manage.

Having a calendar at your fingertips is a huge advantage. It means you can jot down things as you learn them, and get reminders when the time comes. And, again, it’s in your pocket all times, so you can quickly check what you have on the upcoming agenda. The same goes for to-do lists and notes. Android smartphones have easy to-do and notes apps, so you can jot things down and get organized with ease.

2. Email

More than ever businesses and people are relying on email as a primary form of communication. While email lacks the personal touch of an in-person visit or even a telephone call, it is easily the most efficient form of mass communication. Anyone who uses email for work probably needs a smartphone, even if work is too stingy to issue one.

This point might seem obvious, but it shouldn’t be understated. Having access to email is increasingly important, and fewer people can afford to be without it. It might seem trivial, but once you realize the advantages of having email on the go, it’s hard to turn back.

3. Always-on internet

As with email, this seems like a pretty obvious point. Having an internet connection in your pocket can come in handy for many purposes. Yes, most of the time it will be using Wikipedia to settle an argument. But there are plenty of practical reasons to have a mini internet browser on you at all times.

And, of course, an always-on internet connection means:

4. Apps galore

If you can dream it, an app can probably do it. It’s hard to overstate the robustness of the Android Market. There are thousands upon thousands of apps you can find there, and there are more added every day.

Looking for a distraction? There are more than enough free games to help pass the time. Need to edit a document really quick? There are apps that can let you do that. Booking a trip and need to quickly look up New York hotels? There are apps that not only let you see prices, but let you book right from your phone. Want instant access to your bank account? Chances are that your bank has an Android app.

There really is no exaggeration to Android’s app selection. There’s an app that can do nearly everything, and with Android you’re bound to find it for free.

5. Multiple gadgets in one

While smartphones might be small things, they can pack plenty into that shell. Already smartphones have taken the places of multiple gadgets. For starters, there’s the digital camera. While most cell phones don’t compare to the digital cameras you see on the market, many have cameras with 5 megapixels or more. That might not mean great quality, but it can suffice for non-professional settings.

Remember the days of toting around an MP3 player along with a cell phone? Those are gone. Android smartphones are complete music devices. Not only can you load songs from your computer onto a memory card, but you can take advantage of streaming apps such as Pandora. Even better, Google has its own music app that lets you upload thousands of songs to the cloud. As long as you have an internet connection you can listen to these songs even if they’re not downloaded to your phone.

Smartphones clearly are not for everyone. While they can perform certain essential services and make life a ton easier, they’re still mostly luxuries. Of course, it was only a decade ago when cell phones were still luxuries. They’ve turned into essential parts of our lives, and smatphones will soon enough. Low-cost Android smartphones on prepaid carriers open them up to a whole new audience. It might be time to start thinking about one, if you haven’t already.

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

• Boost Mobile. They once carried the BlackBerry Style 9670, a flip phone, but they’re apparently out of stock. There is likely no plan to re-order. They also have the Curve 8530, an outdated handset.
• Cricket carries the Curve 8530 as well, but that’s it. It’s been available for over a year, and there have been no plans to add a new BlackBerry.
• MetroPCS has the same deal as Cricket. There just seems to be no movement on this front.
• Virgin Mobile once carried the 8530, but in mid-November it no longer appeared on the website. An email to Virgin revealed that they are simply out of stock, but it has been more than a month now.

 
It’s not that the BlackBerry is a bad smartphone. It does bring basic features, such as email, calendar, and contacts, and it has plenty of social apps such as Facebook and Twitter. It also has BBM, which is a favorite of the BlackBerry crowd. But with the BlackBerry crowd diminishing that’s less of a selling point.
 
What it comes down to with BlackBerry: it’s a mid-range device with a higher-end price tag. You’ll see a lot of BlackBerry devices in the $180 to $200 range. That might seem acceptable, but Android smartphones can do a lot more for the same, or less, money.
 
Android is about the value
 
What makes Android a great value proposition is the low end. That is, even a low-end Android handset is still as good as, if not better than, the BlackBerry. And so users can buy an Android handset for $100 and get plenty of value out of it. It still has those basic smartphone features, it still has social features, and, most of all, it has access to the Android Market.
 
With hundreds of thousands of apps available, even low-end Android handsets have some value proposition. Users can also take advantage of unlimited plans, which typically cost $55 per month. Even better, with a loyalty plan like Boost’s users can end up paying $40 per month for their service eventually. That is, the value is there in both the handset and in the plan. And that is why Android handsets, and particularly low-end Android handsets, are the best bet for the prepaid market.

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

The Traditional Way
 
Most people who want to purchase a BlackBerry phone will do so through a postpaid provider. They’ll select a BlackBerry handset along with appropriate voice, messaging, and data plans. The handset itself will come at a significant markdown from retail, because carriers subsidize handsets in exchange for a two-year service commitment. It’s this subsidy that keeps people coming back to postpaid services.
 
Prepaid carriers offer a much lesser subsidy, because they don’t require that the customer sign a two-year deal. They could conceivably buy the phone and a plan, and then cancel the service the very next month. If the carrier were to subsidize that handset, they’d be out money, since they expect to recoup it via the customer’s monthly charge. Since paying less brings instant gratification, people to continue gravitating towards postpaid services.
 
The Prepaid Way
 
What’s left unsaid above is the cost savings aspect of prepaid wireless service. If the prepaid carrier were charging similar rates for the same service, while at the same time charging more for handsets, they’d have little advantage. Chances are, they’d remain the domain of individuals with poor or no credit. But since that’s no longer the case, something has to be different. It shines through in the monthly rate.
 
Many prepaid carriers offer unlimited minutes, messages, and data for a flat monthly rate, which in most instances comes at a discount of $10 to $30 off postpaid service. It’s harder to make these savings tangible, since they don’t happen up front. That is, a postpaid customer walks into a store and pays, say, $215 for a smartphone (with tax). She walks away with a working phone and doesn’t see another charge until the end of the first billing cycle. But when a prepaid customer walks into a store he’ll put much more money on the counter. The phone might cost the same $200, though it will be an older, more outdated model. On top of that, he needs to pay for the first month of service, since it is pre-paid.
 
It’s easy to see, then, why people prefer postpaid. Not only does the service come from a more recognizable brand name, but customers pay less up front. The further away the costs, the less people think about them when making a purchase. But as we’ll see, prepaid can save.
 
Two-Year Cost of Ownership
 
The best way to compare prepaid and postpaid services is by examining the cost over a two-year term, since postpaid users are locked into this term. Prepaid users are, by definition, not locked into this term. But postpaid users seeking savings will find this comparison most useful, due to the already existing two-year term of postpaid.
 
Most prepaid carriers offer unlimited services, but we don’t have to compare them directly to unlimited offerings from postpaid carriers. We will, but we’ll also look at some lower-cost options on postpaid and make the same comparisons. It should put into perspective not only how much users can save with prepaid, but also the greater level of service they can realize.
 
Unlimited vs. Unlimited
 
This table represents the total two-year cost of ownership for BlackBerry smartphones on four postpaid and four prepaid carriers. There are a number of service prices in italics, because these carriers do not offer unlimited data services. For the price listed AT&T and Verizon offer 2GB of data, while T-Mobile offers 5GB. The only truly unlimited option among them is Sprint.
 

 
Since unlimited everything plans on postpaid carriers are necessarily expensive, this might not provide the best comparison. It does show, however, that for the same level of service that prepaid carriers are significantly cheaper in a two-year term.
 
Unlimited vs. Budget
 
Prepaid carriers can even compete with the lower-priced plans from postpaid carriers. It becomes a bit closer, but prepaid then has the advantage in offering more minutes and, with the exception of Sprint, more data.
 

 
Only when we reduce the number of minutes from unlimited to 450-500 do we see postpaid services competing with prepaid on price. Even then, prepaid comes out a head and offers more in the way of data and minutes.
 
Prepaid: For The Cost Conscious
 
We can conclude that prepaid services can indeed save, perhaps significantly, over comparable postpaid services. All four prepaid carriers in this comparison — MetroPCS, Cricket, Boost Mobile, and Virgin Mobile — offer unlimited minutes, messaging, and data for a flat monthly rate (and Virgin Mobile can get cheaper, too, with limited minutes options). Even with the more expensive up-front cost of the handset, they beat out postpaid carriers in a two-year comparison. Those looking to save money will do better to choose a prepaid carrier.
 
Postpaid: For The New New Thing
 
The other obvious conclusion we can draw from this comparison is that postpaid carriers offer a much better handset selection than their prepaid counterparts. The most up-to-date BlackBerry offered by any of the four prepaid carriers is the Style 9670, and that’s not exactly a technological gem. Postpaid carriers will retain their stronghold of the new smartphone market, and so people who want the best, such as the Verizon BlackBerry Bold, will do well to stick with postpaid and get the newest handsets at a discount.

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

Samsung T401G from Net10
 
Net10 is always a good bet when recommending a simple cell phone plan. You can buy a card of any denomination, but it really doesn’t matter. Minutes cost 10 cents, flat. Net10 now also offers monthly plans: $15 for 200 minutes, or $30 for 500 minutes. With both monthly and per-minute options available, there’s something for everyone with Net10. Best of all, there’s no confusion about what costs what.
 
The Samsung T401g might seem like something of a complicated phone, since it features a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, MP3 player, and other bells and whistles. But it works because of its versatility. There’s no requirement to use the full keyboard, so it could sit dormant. That is, unless there’s an urge or need to communicate via text message. Then it becomes a huge positive. The T401g also has a fairly large screen, which is a universal plus.
 
You can get the Samsung T401g ($79.99) and a service plan at Net10′s website.
 
Nokia 1616 from T-Mobile
 
Since the popularization of cell phones, Nokia has been known for simple, stripped down phones. They’ve made forays into the higher end market, but their bread and butter remains their simple, easy to manage handsets. The Nokia 1616 is no exception. It’s not the best phone for texting, since the screen isn’t overly large. But for simple calling there might not be a better phone in its price range.
 
T-Mobile also offers fairly simple minute plans. There are four different pay-as-you-go denominations, each of which can fit different calling needs. Fixed income seniors can grab the $10 card, which last for 90 days. The $30 card is also viable, as it provides 160 minutes and the same 90-day period. Those who can afford it, though should grab the $100 card, since it offers the lowest per-minute rate and lasts for a full year. That’s 1,000 minutes, which should last plenty.
 
You can get the Nokia 1616 ($19.99) and a plan at T-Mobile’s website.
 
Motorola WX345 from Consumer Cellular
 
Consumer Cellular is one of those carriers that targets the senior demographic, so it’s natural that we’d put one of their phones on the list. They have a number of plans, ranging from $10 to $60 per month, though the sweet spot is in the $20 to $30 range. But it’s really a personal thing. There’s a plan for any need with Consumer Cellular.
 
The WX345 is a basic flip phone with few frills. That’s what makes it attractive. We’ve recommended bar phones above, because they’re simpler, but a flip does have its advantages. For instance, it allows more room for the keys and the screen, which are the biggest considerations. Usually that also means a thicker phone, but the WX345 is remarkably thin for a flip phone. Best of all, it’s free. That’s about the best deal going.
 
You can get the Motorola WX345 and a service plan at Consumer Cellular’s website.
 
The Jitterbug J from Great Call
 
There was a time when both the phone and the service were called Jitterbug. Now it’s just the phone. It’s the same large-screen, large-keyed handset that put Jitterbug on the map. Now they’re called Great Call, but it’s all the same. Again, we didn’t want to fill up these spots with just phones like this. It would have been pointless. But the Jitterbug J is aimed at seniors, so it makes sense to add.
 
The only downside is the price. The phone costs $99, which is a deal more than the other handsets we’ve seen here. But for seniors who have needs that the Jitterbug J fills, it’s a worthy investment. The plans work out well, too. They start at $15 per month for 50 minutes, and go up to unlimited for $80. The sweet spot, as usual, is in the middle: they offer 100 minutes for $20 and 400 minutes for $40. There’s bound to be a plan for everyone in there somewhere.
 
You can get the Jitterbug J (for $99) and a service plan at Great Call’s website.

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

BlackBerry Curve
 
While the BlackBerry has slipped in public stature since its height in the mid-00s, it is still often the best smartphone you’ll find on a prepaid carrier. Most prepaid carriers prefer the BlackBerry Curve to the flagship models. They’re typically cheaper, which always plays a role for prepaid carriers. Since they don’t subsidize handsets to the same level as contract carriers, it’s important that they find the cheapest possible handsets. Every dollar counts when it comes to prepaid handsets.
 
The BlackBerry Curve 8530 appears on many different carriers. It came out in the summer of 2009, two years after the original Curves debuted. It was certainly time for an upgrade, but the 8530 was just a minor one. There have been a series of Curves since the 8530, including some brand new models. But chances are that we won’t see these on prepaid carriers for quite some time. Again, the focus is on affordable models, and with smartphones that often involves older handsets.
 
You can get the BlackBerry Curve 8530 from the following carriers: MetroPCS ($199), Cricket ($159.99), Virgin Mobile ($179.99), Boost Mobile ($149.99), and T-Mobile prepaid ($187.49).
 
Additionally, Boost Mobile carries a much newer BlackBerry model, the Style 9670. It is a full-sized BlackBerry flip phone that came out last October. It wasn’t received with much fanfare, but it’s a bit more modern than the Curve 8530. It’s also a bit more expensive, checking in at $199.99. Verizon prepaid also carries a pair of BlackBerry models with its monthly plans. One is the BlackBerry Curve, though that is the more updated 9930 model, which runs BlackBerry OS 6. It is predictably more expensive than the older Curves, checking in at $274.99. There is also the touchscreen Storm 2, which runs $394.99.
 
Android smartphones
 
It took a while for Android to make its impact on the mobile world, but since late 2009 it has been one of the most popular smartphone platforms. While prepaid carriers took a while to get in on the game, they’re now carrying Android smartphones in droves. As with the BlackBerry Curve, these are mostly older and mid-level models, not to be confused with the top of the line models that postpaid carriers are releasing with rapidity. Here’s what kind of Android you can expect from a prepaid carrier.
 
The easiest way to break this down is by price range, since there are so many different handsets on so many different carriers. Typically the less expensive models are the least impressive feature-wise, but there are exceptions. Here’s the best in each price range.
 
Free to $100
 
LG Optimus M: $99.99 from MetroPCS. It might be the best bang for your buck handset on the market. LG released an Optimus model for nearly every carrier, but MetroPCS sells it for the cheapest price. The screen is a bit small at 3.2 inches, and since its from MetroPCS it runs on a slow 1xRTT network. That takes away from the overall experience, but it still leaves the Optimus M as the best value in the under $100 range.
 
$100 to $120
 

 
Samsung Intercept: $119.99 from PlatinumTel. Virgin Mobile actually jumped ahead of the market with the Intercept, which it released earlier in 2011. PlatinumTel picked it up as a refurbished model, and therefore sells it at a lower price point. Like the Optimus M’s, the Intercept’s screen is just 3.2 inches. But behind that screen is a slide-out keboard, which appeals to many users who aren’t used to the full touchscreen. It also has an 800MHz processor, which puts it a tick below the upper tier phones, but definitely a level above the lower-tier ones.
 
$120 to $150
 
Samsung Admire: $129 from MetroPCS. Recently released as a back-to-school item, the Admire brings the latest version of Android, 2.3. It brings a slightly larger screen, measuring 3.5 inches diagonally. At the same time, its processor is the same clock speed as the Intercept. That renders it a bit underwhelming, since it’s in a higher price range (though really it’s just $10 more expensive). Where the Admire shines through is the competition. There are many overpriced low-tier handsets in the $120 to $150 range. The Admire definitely provides the best bang for the buck.
 
$150 to $200
 
Samsung Prevail: $179.99 from Boost Mobile. Boost has only one Android handset, but it’s a worthy one. The Prevail is basically the prepaid model in the Samsung Galaxy S line, which is one of the most heralded lines of Android smartphones. It’s on the smaller end, with a 3.2 inch screen, but it does bring some faster processing speeds. As with the Admire, the Galaxy Prevail benefits from a low level of competition in the price range. Overpriced, low-tier handsets seem to live in this range.
 
$200 and up
 
Motorola Triumph: $299.99 from Virgin Mobile. Many marketing dollars were spent on the Triumph which is now Virgin’s flagship Android handset. It definitely matches the hype, as it has most of the latest features. The 1GHz processor kicks the competitors to the ground. The 4.1-inch screen gives you plenty of room to type and swipe. The resolution is also significantly better than the other handsets on this lit. In fact, the Triumph is the closest thing that prepaid has to a top of the line Android device. That is to say, the price definitely matches the quality.
 
There were many other handsets in this range, but many of them were unsubsidized units from postpaid carriers. For instance, AT&T carries the Samsung Captivate, which is a relatively high-end Android, perhaps trumping the Triumph. But it costs $500. That’s above $200, of course, but it’s also well out of a reasonable price range.

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

Today we’ll go with the major carriers and their prepaid arms. Next week we’ll look at MVNOs and regional carriers.

AT&T

Get any of these handsets at AT&T’s website.

Samsung SGH-a107

This is one of the simpler phones you’ll find. It calls and messages, but doesn’t do much else. Except flip open and closed, of course. Cost: $19.99

Samsung SGH-a197

This is much like the a107, except it adds a VGA camera. Cost: $39.99

AT&T R225

Another simple, straight forward phone without a camera. This one is in bar style, for those who prefer that. Cost: $14.99

AT&T F160 (refurbished)

This bar-style phone features a 3-megapixel camera, which is one of the best you’ll find in a prepaid phone under $50. It is also refurbished, which means you’re getting a better handset for a lesser price. Cost: $14.99

Samsung Sunburst (refurbished)

The Sunburst is one of the few touchscreen phones you’ll find under $40. It has a music player, messaging capabilities, web browser, 2 megapixel camera, and more. Cost: $39.99

Verizon

Get any of these handsets at Verizon’s website.

Samsung Gusto

This is Verizon’s most basic flip phone. It has a VGA camera and not much else. Cost: $19.99

Verizon Wireless CDM7076

This is a small step up from the Gusto, as it adds a web browser. Cost: $29.99

LG Accolade

The Accolade features a decent camera at 1.3-megapixels, and also has a media center. It’s still a basic phone. Cost: $39.99

T-Mobile

Strangely enough, T-Mobile has no prepaid phones under $50. You can see the entire selection at T-Mobile’s website.

Boost Mobile

Get these handsets at Boost Mobile’s website.

Motorola i296

The Motorola i298 is a basic bar-style phone that doesn’t pack many features. It does have Boost’s walkie-talkie service, though. Cost: $49.99

Motorola Rambler

The Rambler is a flip phone that has a full QWERTY keyboard, which makes it suitable for messaging. Cost: $49.99

Samsung Factor

This is a thin, sleek flip phone that features a VGA camera and messaging capabilities. Cost: $49.99

Virgin Mobile

Get these handsets at Virgin Mobile’s website.

Kyocera Loft

A stubby phone that features a QWERTY keyboard, the Kyocera Loft is perfect for the messaging addict. It also features a 1.3-megapixel camera and access to social networking services. Cost: $49.99

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

This post originated at PrepaidReviews.com - The number one resource for Tracfone Prepaid information on the web!

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