PC Magazine’s Smart Device Central offers thoughts on the best, “cheap” smartphones available today. This is a timely read to me for two reasons: it’s the most oft-asked question I’m seeing these days and because I came within an inch of bagging a NAM Nokia E71 over the weekend. The unlocked S60 smartphone was available on a one-day sale for $289. I passed at the last second because my current AT&T contract is up in July. I could stay with the carrier, but I might also move to a CDMA network, which would render my $289 investment fairly useless without a usable SIM card!
Smart Device Central’s list is done by carrier and moves from least expensive overall package (data plan included) to more expensive. Here’s what they suggest, along with an addition idea or two from me:
- T-Mobile folks should consider a BlackBerry; Either the Pearl 8100 or Curve 8300. I like their suggestion of considering a UMA-capable phone because that allows for calls over Wi-Fi without using plan minutes.
- Sprint customers not interesting in the Palm Pre can go old school with a $49 Palm Centro. Other considerations from SDC are the Pearl 8130 and Curve 8330. I’d through the fairly capable Palm Treo 800w in the mix at $99 as well.
- AT&T peeps should bypass anything Apple, says SDC. Instead, the GSM Centro can be had for $29, or less than three iTunes albums. Samsung’s BlackJack II is $49 and worth the look if you’re using Microsoft Exchange. I should point out that if do want to go with an iPhone, AT&T often sells refurbished 8GB units for $99.
- Verizon Wireless subscribers should stick with the recurring BlackBerry theme and grab the Curve 8330 at under a hundred bucks. I also see a CDMA Centro available online for $49, not to mention the XV6900 made by HTC for $99.
Of course, this pricing requires a two-year plan commitment. While saving money up front is nice, I always ask myself what the likelihood is that I’ll be happy with a given device for 24 months. If you’re going to be miserable in three to six months with your hardware, it’s probably best to just pony up some dough up front if you can. Also keep in mind that many of the recommendations are cheap for a reason: They’ve been around the block for a year or so and fresh new models have taken, or are about to take, their place.
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