Sprint phone recommendations

[t-dog]

I have had my trusty Palm Treo 650 since 2006 or so. It has taken a beating but soldiered on. The back doesn't fully close in one corner any longer since it has been dropped a thousand times. Now it is losing pieces. The antenna won't stay attached any longer. So I believe it is time to replace old reliable.

Can anyone recommend a good Sprint smartphone? Don't even say iPhone because I loathe AT&T and because I am locked into Sprint until at least 4/12 because I pay for my mother's cell phone.

[chiver78]

I'm not sure what Sprint has for inventory (I have Verizon) but if you can get something on the Android OS, I think you'll be pleased. I have an old HTC model, but will be upgrading to another this fall when my contract is up. there are lots of free apps available, I actually haven't paid for any that I currently use. Motorola has a few Android options too, but I am not a fan of phones that slide.

[Gardening Grandma]

Well, Verizon also has the "i-thingy"..... If you want to avoid signing contracts, you can buy a phone on ebay and use that....

Just go to ebay and do a search for your model

(I did that last fall when DH dropped my phone... bought the same model on ebay, programmed it following the instructions on Verizon's website, andw used it until we bought the "i-things")

[chiver78]

May 12, 2011 14:32:37 GMT -5 Gardening Grandma said:

If you want to avoid signing contracts, you can buy a phone on ebay and use that....

I don't know how Sprint is for this, but Verizon will not hook up a phone that is not Verizon-labeled. if you consider this path, definitely check before you buy something.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

I have one of Sprint's military spec phones that I bought about 5 years ago. I had to replace the battery last year, but it keeps on ticking. However, no data plan and it's a pain to text on, so wouldn't recommend it if texting is important.

[dividend]

I just got a Samsung Epic, which I like because I wanted a phone with a keyboard. I upgraded from an old Centro, which I LOVED, and the Epic, to be honest, feels like too much phone for me. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's totally awesome - fast and responsive, I get great reception for 4G and for wireless, it's got decent sound quality for calls, the camera is nice, and the sliding keyboard is great.

DBF really likes his HTC EVO 4G, but it seems like it gets much worse 4G/wifi signals from the same spot. The EVO has a much larger usable screen area, and no keyboard.

I hate that Palm stopped supporting their desktop OS. I've made the transition to web-based calendar/task management combined with some apps, but I honestly would have just rather gotten a new Centro.

[Deleted]

I have the Samsung Transform with Sprint. Meh.

I really wanted a full keyboard, so that part is nice, but I swear the touch screen does crazy things when I am not looking. My cheek frequently opens a bunch of programs when I am talking on the phone.

And anytime it is in a bad reception area, it will run down my battery trying to update email and stuff anytime it gets a bit of signal. Kind of annoying in ways that my old blackberry wasn't.

[t-dog]

Thanks for the info guys. I am sad to see the treo go, but can't keep having parts fall off while I am on the phone!

[bean29]

I'm still using my Samsung Moment which is not available anymore. DH upgraded to the EVO. I am really mad at myself b/c I almost bought it for him for X-Mas and I did not(ETA: If I had purchased it in Dec, no surcharge. Surcharge started in Feb). He went at the end of Jan and it was backordered until Feb. Sprint has added a sur-charge to all plans, if you upgrade your phone they will surcharge you $10/month for your android phone. So we are being surcharged $10.00/month. DD had an android with all data included too. She decided to use DH's old Moment, so they are charging use an extra $20.00/month. They told DH and DD that they would incur and extra fee and they both said OK. I say GRR. $20x12 =240/yr.

I so want a new phone. Will be eligible in Oct. So does DS, but they will want an extra 240/yr for 2 more phones.

I would make sure you look at sprint competitor pricing at the same time you look for a new phone.

[t-dog]

hmmm...not sure about this surcharge thing. I have been upgrade eligible since 2008!! Treo kept humming along so I have not had the need to upgrade until it literally began to fall apart. Have to hit the sprint store and see what is available. I do have deceased hubbies old Samsung Rant that I might just use to avoid paying for something else.

[moneymaven]

My husband just rid himself of the long loved Palm he had for 3 1/2 years, and I upgraded from the Blackberry with Sprint. We both have the Evo 4G and love them. Way better than the iPhone, and I love Apple products.

[moneymaven]

bean is right about the surcharge for the data services. An extra $10/month to all data users since they don't cap usage.

[t-dog]

hmm...I have unlimited data right now and just looked at my bill, no surcharge. Is this a new thing?

[Deleted]

May 12, 2011 17:07:05 GMT -5 t-dog said:

hmm...I have unlimited data right now and just looked at my bill, no surcharge. Is this a new thing?

The surcharge is only on the 4G phones (EVO and Epic). We have unlimited data with a Touch Pro 2 and an LG Optimus. No surcharge.

[Deleted]

Sprint Arrive. One of the best keyboards you'll find. If you are in a corp environment with Exchange as your email server, this is best phone to get.

[bean29]

Minnesota Paint.

I am not sure about the surcharge being only on the 4G phones. DH's new phone is an epic so it is 4G ready. We don't yet have 4 G service on a consistent basis in our area but we are being charged the 10/mo becasue if we travel somewhere where 4 G is available we will be able to use it.

They also are charging us 10/month for the Moment that DD activted on her line (DH's old phone). I got them to take it off, but then was told that they could not take it off, and DD deactivated it and reactivated it so they do have the 10/month on her line. I don't think the Moment is 4G I looked at the specs and it looks like it is 3G, does anyone know?

[bean29]

I googled sprint surcharge and this says it is for all Android phones

mobilized.allthingsd.com/20110118/sprint-expands-10-data-surcharge-to-all-smartphones/

Sprint said Tuesday that starting Jan. 30 it plans to charge an extra $10 a month for all smartphones getting unlimited data. The new charge will apply to all Android, BlackBerry, Instinct, Palm and Windows Mobile devices.

Existing Sprint smartphone customers are not affected unless they upgrade to or activate another smartphone, the company said.

[Deleted]

The Moment isn't 4G. Either they've changed something recently and we're grandfathered in with our contract or you shouldn't be getting a surcharge with that phone.

edit: We posted at the same time. That sucks. We're on an employee plan and are going to add another line for our son soon. We both upgraded just a couple weeks before the Jan. 30th change.