Entry level smartphone for mobile hotspot?

[bokdrol]

My current Cell C contract is coming to an end and new phone is on horizon. I currently have a blackberry which I despise. Can anyone recommend an entry-level smartphone? I am looking for robustness and minimum drama primarily.
What I would really like is a phone that I can set up as a mobile hotspot on its own (I think it is called "tethering"?). The wifi at work is too unreliable and I am sick of trying to find other wifi hotspots which never seem to work.
Also, does the wifi tethering business cost extra monthly?
Thanks

 

[Nick333]

I'm sure someone had this exact same question yesterday.

My cheap ass Vodafone 875 has wifi AP/tethering so I'm reasonably sure all Androids do. As for costing extra: it uses your phone's data - it'll come off your bundle or be charged accordingly.

 

[Skerminkel]

I'm sure someone had this exact same question yesterday.

My cheap ass Vodafone 875 has wifi AP/tethering so I'm reasonably sure all Androids do. As for costing extra: it uses your phone's data - it'll come off your bundle or be charged accordingly.

This. There should be very few Android phones on the market that do not not have the function. Even the Zest has!

 

[bokdrol]

Thanks. Will look into it.

 

[bokdrol]

so many brands...some I have never heard of e.g. Microsoft Lumia (any good?)
I have heard samsung is good but the last ones I had I found I couldn't hear the caller properly
Nokia I have always found to be robust
And the LG phones?

 

[Skerminkel]

so many brands...some I have never heard of e.g. Microsoft Lumia (any good?)
I have heard samsung is good but the last ones I had I found I couldn't hear the caller properly
Nokia I have always found to be robust
And the LG phones?

Samsung has a gazillion models on the market. There will be one for your requirements.

Decide who you trust most (or distrust least!) with all your information, Google or Microsoft (or Apple), because you buy into their ecosystem. Then only you start looking at handsets.

If you use it as your main data connection, I would suggest looking at dual sim phones. That way you can choose separate providers for data and voice. That might force you to Android (and Google).

 

[konfab]

Samsung has a gazillion models on the market. There will be one for your requirements.

Decide who you trust most (or distrust least!) with all your information, Google or Microsoft (or Apple), because you buy into their ecosystem. Then only you start looking at handsets.

If you use it as your main data connection, I would suggest looking at dual sim phones. That way you can choose separate providers for data and voice. That might force you to Android (and Google).

Microsoft has a few dual sim phones as well.

 

[Necropolis]

What about getting a cheap mifi device?