Best Value for money Android phone < $400

[poorestguy]

Hi Guys,

So I actually have a chance to go to the USA, but at bad timing cause im stone broke so i figured might as well get myself a good decent android phone. What a good one to get? Right now looking at the Motorola Droid...i like the fact it has touch screen and a keypad and its relatively cheap. Any suggestions?

 

[mercurial]

I saw that the LG Optimus 2X is going for $199 at AT&T.

 

[poorestguy]

I saw that the LG Optimus 2X is going for $199 at AT&T.

thats not bad!but do the US operators lock their phones?is this a cash once-off purchase?

 

[poorestguy]

I saw that the LG Optimus 2X is going for $199 at AT&T.

thats not bad!but do the US operators lock their phones?is this a cash once-off purchase?

 

[superskully]

I saw that the LG Optimus 2X is going for $199 at AT&T.

I really doubt this, its usually a pay in.
And yes, they do lock phones.

 

[Synaesthesia]

How about the plain vanilla Galaxy S? Still a great phone and upgradable to 2.3 I think. However they go by a whole bunch of different names and US. Make sure you get one that's GSM and stuff. I think it will be called the Samsung Captivate

 

[mercurial]

thats not bad!but do the US operators lock their phones?is this a cash once-off purchase?

No idea.

I really doubt this, its usually a pay in.
And yes, they do lock phones.

Saw it on Youtube - One of PhoneDog's latest Galaxy SII vs LG Optimus 2x videos.

 

[Speedster]

Desire Z

EDIT: Known as the G2 over there.

 

[Synaesthesia]

Make sure it's unlocked. If you really wanna save money check out ebay.

 

[CrazYmonkeY159]

Yes usually unlocked phones (from best buy, radio shack) cost $100 more, so for a good smartphone youre looking at $600, the typical price for a smartphone is $499

Do not get a phone from sprint or verizon (they run on CDMA networks) so only consider T-Mobile and AT&T Phones(with discretion).

Can't these smartphones be unlocked with some software?

 

[Synaesthesia]

Yeah some have unlocks, with others it's damn tricky. Another option - just buy a phone here? USA doesn't really have better prices than us for smartphones. And you'll be sure it's unlocked.

What is cheap to buy in the states is computer parts, laptops, iPods and iPads.

 

[CrazYmonkeY159]

Yeah some have unlocks, with others it's damn tricky. Another option - just buy a phone here? USA doesn't really have better prices than us for smartphones. And you'll be sure it's unlocked.

What is cheap to buy in the states is computer parts, laptops, iPods and iPads.

+1 although with iPods and iPads you will make a negligable saving. (both iPad 2 and the original iPad pricings are on par with USA)

 

[Synaesthesia]

Amazing! Ha, true. When the iPad came out, ppl were like asking R10k here. Freaking crazy. However there's a lot of specials and things that are really easy to get in the US that you just can't buy here. Eg. right now Macbook Pro 13" refurbished models on the Apple store for $899.

 

[Elimentals]

I would find a buyer for some iDevice locally and go over get it, sell, use money to get a phone locally

 

[Chevron]

I would find a buyer for some iDevice locally and go over get it, sell, use money to get a phone locally

Zing!

 

[poorestguy]

my budget just dropped drastically so looking around 150 dollars now can only see the LG Optimus as a decent option