Hey guys, I've been lurking a bit but need some advice as my contract just expired as of yesterday and I'm looking for some options. I'm Canadian, currently with Bell using a Curve 8530 with no data plan. I literally only use my phone to text the girlfriend, make brief calls, and play around online when I can get Wi-Fi. My priorities:
Low monthly bill
No data, but good wi-fi functionality in the phone
Not a crap phone - I'm a big computer geek so the more functionality, the better.
My Blackberry is on its way out, otherwise I'd continue using it. I'd like to branch out as well, seeing as how I don't have data I have no use for BBM or whatnot. I'd rather have a phone with a more app-friendly OS. I checked out Koodo, and they fulfill the low monthly bill part, but from what I saw the phones are mostly crap based on my admittedly amateur knowledge. They were offering an LG Optimus at the $150 tab limit, meaning it would be free if I stayed with them long enough. Upsides: cost, no fixed-term contract... downsides: crappy phones
I then checked out the local "Phone Booth" store, where the sales guy recommended I pick up the Sony Xperia / Arc on promo with Rogers for 0$, go with the data plan for a month, then call and opt-out of the data for a $100 fee. I'd then have a quality phone with good wi-fi access, but would be locked into a new contract with a new carrier and a higher monthly bill. Upsides: good phone, downsides: cost, Rogers contract
So, what do you recommend? I know I'm trying to "have my cake and eat it too" - cool phone, low bill, etc. but I really don't want to buy another throw-away phone. I don't necessarily mind being in a fixed-term contract as long as I get what I want.
Low monthly bill
No data, but good wi-fi functionality in the phone
Not a crap phone - I'm a big computer geek so the more functionality, the better.
My Blackberry is on its way out, otherwise I'd continue using it. I'd like to branch out as well, seeing as how I don't have data I have no use for BBM or whatnot. I'd rather have a phone with a more app-friendly OS. I checked out Koodo, and they fulfill the low monthly bill part, but from what I saw the phones are mostly crap based on my admittedly amateur knowledge. They were offering an LG Optimus at the $150 tab limit, meaning it would be free if I stayed with them long enough. Upsides: cost, no fixed-term contract... downsides: crappy phones
I then checked out the local "Phone Booth" store, where the sales guy recommended I pick up the Sony Xperia / Arc on promo with Rogers for 0$, go with the data plan for a month, then call and opt-out of the data for a $100 fee. I'd then have a quality phone with good wi-fi access, but would be locked into a new contract with a new carrier and a higher monthly bill. Upsides: good phone, downsides: cost, Rogers contract
So, what do you recommend? I know I'm trying to "have my cake and eat it too" - cool phone, low bill, etc. but I really don't want to buy another throw-away phone. I don't necessarily mind being in a fixed-term contract as long as I get what I want.