Need to pick out a new phone for my WIFE!

[loveexdanielaa]

I have gotten a phone from work for the last 8 years so I am not that up to speed on whats out there. Once I found this great forum I have been sucking up as much info I can get but was hoping for some more pointed advice from the experts so I can get wifey the perfect phone.

*****Feel free to skip this section*****
A little history in my new adventures of pay as you go:
Just setup the mother inlaw using mingowirless (great CS by the way) with an old RZR from Verizon and it was fantastic.

Tried to get a Samsung Smooth ($10 at Frys damn decent phone) I just purchased to work but learned quickly that it's probably a good idea to start reading at the end of the thread as that phone seems to no longer work (at least without the 6mo).

So I took the Smooth and gave it to my wife to replace a broken RZR on her monthly Verizon account via Verizon web portal (worked great). I figure I will try again once I get my wife a new phone as maybe by switching the phone to a postpay monthly possibly got me around the 6 months and eventually give this phone to father inlaw.
****End of History*****

Here is what I am hoping for:
Price: $100 - $300 (refurb/used ok)
Decent/High Resolution Camera(still and motion) flash optional but appreciated, for snapping the ankle biters
Video Player: To turn ankle biters into video zombies during long trips
Coolness: To make wifey happy, she seems to like touch screen but she stinks at charging and it seems touch screens are battery eaters (maybe a middle ground?).
Wifi: She does not need 3G but rather wants to connect to wifi only while in the house, that or use 3g very sparingly. I think she wants this more to have it but ehh, checking email while on the couch without getting the laptop is cool, plus she plans on going back to school and could check email using college wifi.

Usage: After 6 months she averages 65 minutes a month and about 5 SMS. We are currently on a Verizon monthly plan but no longer under contract and getting ripped with such low usage.

Carriers: Would not mind any suggestions but it seems CDMA is the way to go as when it comes to costs using vendors like PP and mingo. I could not really find any good deals on GSM prepay but SIM card switching is nice. I use GSM (att) paid for by the man, but she seems to have slightly better coverage with Verizon. Had to put a repeater in my house for my frequency to get better coverage where she has just enough bars to manage.

I don't mind buying new phone or watching craigslist/ebay but so many choices I need some help .

 

[tommy_sangihe]

Which carrier has the best coverage when and where you will use it? Decide that and then pick the phone.

 

[Heididididididi.]

With wanting video for travel and wifi for mainly home yet your phone requirements are so limited, I'd almost be tempted to go with 2 separate devices... A decent WAP phone so it doesn't cost an arm and a leg but still meets the "style" your wife wants.(something along the lines on an LG env touch) For the video and wifi, I'd go with something like an Ipod Touch. I just don't think the < 300 market for cell phone will easily do what you want for your video and wifi without killing battery life.

 

[gutz_otoole]

Great reply, its good to know I am asking for to much for to little. I never noticed the Env and that might be the one (wife reviewing it now).

As for carries, they are basically equivalent enough not to worry about it. Since I first posted I also found MVNO for ATT that seem to have decent enough pay as you go rates.

Looks like I need to paint her in a corner. Either pick a phone for Pictures and Videos or Pick a phone for wifi and email access. Thanks for the insight now I know what direction I need to head.