Support NeoGAF

[triplestation]

i used to have just a flip phone and all i'd do is talk, thats it.. now i have texting and data

smartphones on amazon are like $400+ but im not even sure why theyre worth that much.. (because they're smoother?)

what phones do you have and what's the best bang for the buck right now?

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

nexus 4

 

[Escape Goat]

Galaxy S3 is like $100 at best Buy.

 

[sarcastor]

you can either pay $1 to 200 for a smartphone and sign up for a 2 year contract and pay $80-100 for a month

or pay $350 to 700 for the same smartphone and pay $30-50 a month for the same service with no contract.

Google Nexus 4 is $300/350 for 8/16gb. You can get T-mobile for $30/month with 100 minutes, unlimited data/text (first 5GB at 4g speeds). Or get the previous model, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus for about $200 on Craigslist or ebay.

You can get a refurbished 16gb Galaxy 3 for $10 through ATT with a 2 year contract.

 

[Cipherr]

and what's the best bang for the buck right now?

Nexus 4 if T-Mobile/ATT or prepaid works for you. Pay $300 and have no contract.

 

[triplestation]

Galaxy S3 is like $100 at best Buy.

yeah 150 but with a plan

 

[Voice of Reason]

Lumia 620.

Cutest phone you'll ever see.

 

[Soyongdori]

Either S3 or Nexus 4,

Can't go wrong either one.

 

[Vanillalite]

Nexus 4 + prepaid plan

 

[threetri333]

I'd go for a Nexus 4. I got it recently from a Neogaffer and I couldn't be any happier.

 

[catmincer]

Lumia 920 or HTC 8X.

 

[Beowulf28]

If you want something a little different you should definitely try one of the Nokia Lumina WP8 phones.

 

[RdN]

Nexus 4. It's Google's flagship phone, awesome design, with very nice specs and still in the middle of it's lifespan.

 

[The Faceless Master]

best bang for buck?

Nexus 4 + prepaid

$300 for phone
pay as you go for service
as little as $30/mo
cancel or switch anytime

 

[ATF487]

don't get one

you'll save money and won't ignore the whole world around you

 

[Unknown Soldier]

Do not under any circumstances buy a Windows Phone if you are new to smartphones.

The obvious and dumb answer is iPhone but for someone who's totally green to smartphones it's an obvious choice. Otherwise if you want to try Android, the Nexus 4 and Galaxy S III are both good choices.

 

[Mushroomer25]

Galaxy S3 is relatively cheap, and fantastic.

 

[Onion_Relish]

Buy the note 2. People will cower in fear, women will lavish attention upon you and you'll also have a kick ass phone

 

[yogloo]

Galaxy note 2.

 

[Ryaaan14]

nexus 4

First post nails it as far as bang for buck.

LOL @ people saying S3. Might as well get an iPhone 5.

 

[Lkr]

get an original iPhone with 4GB of storage

 

[SPDIF]

Do not under any circumstances buy a Windows Phone if you are new to smartphones.

The obvious and dumb answer is iPhone but for someone who's totally green to smartphones it's an obvious choice.

Why not? The main reason I wouldn't recommend a Windows Phone to someone would be lack of app support (I doubt he'd be a heavy app user just yet). Otherwise, I can't really think of a reason not to try one.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

Buy the note 2. People will cower in fear, women will lavish attention upon you and you'll also have a kick ass phone

The Galaxy Note has an address book, which you're going to fucking need because of all the pussy this phone will get you.

Why not? The main reason I wouldn't recommend a Windows Phone to someone would be lack of app support (I doubt he'd be a heavy app user just yet). Otherwise, I can't really think of a reason not to try one.

It's basically still in beta. It lacks functions most people consider basic on phones, I mean how can you not have a different volume control for music/games and ringtones? The early revision WP8 devices shipped with battery drain and reboot issues. And yeah, no apps. When all your iOS and Android owning friends are sharing stuff on Instagram and you can't, that tends to put a damper on your shiny new purchase. A first-timer should always buy a device using a dominant platform, it just saves them a ton of unnecessary aggravation.

 

[$h@d0w]

iPhone 4S or if it's too expensive, iPhone 4.

Edit:

My problem with getting an Android phone to start with is the fact that so many essential (what I feel are essential) tasks aren't easy to do e.g. managing contacts, backing up/restoring your entire phone and syncing content. If you're coming from a feature phone, you might realize this after it's too late.

If you're the type of person who likes to tinker however, I would recommend an Android based phone (the Nexus 4 has been mentioned a lot in this thread and it's an excellent value phone). You can change just about anything if you have the inclination.

I cannot recommend Windows Mobile or BlackBerry due to the lack of market enthusiasm in the platforms.

 

[catmincer]

It'd be my first choice for a smartphone newbie. Easy to use, major apps are available and they have great social network integration.

 

[VALIS]

VALISphone! Only $299!

It may look like a broken iPhone 3G covered in duct tape and turtle stickers but it's not.

 

[triplestation]

get an original iPhone with 4GB of storage

i feel like a total peasant for seeing this as a sensible option

a used factory unlocked one is only like 100 bucks

hows the texting on this thing? i am exaggerating things in my head right now, im imagining the clunkiest thing ever.

 

[numble]

i feel like a total peasant for seeing this as a sensible option

a used factory unlocked one is only like 100 bucks

hows the texting on this thing? i am exaggerating things in my head right now, im imagining the clunkiest thing ever.

I got a 3GS for $60 on Craigslist about a month ago. I got the guy to ask AT&T to unlock it, and I needed to pay $8 to get parts to fix the screen, but I use it more than a Nexus 4 I've got. It's already earned $23 for me from FreeMyApps.

 

[Deleted member 8095]

Buy whichever one you like best. Do you want us to hold your dick while you piss as well? Jesus. "Guys, I'm going to give you ZERO information about me but I want you to make a $400 decision for me. No, I'm not going to tell you what I like in a phone, that would be too easy."