3G phones

So after years of having an old school LG Neon pre paid phone, I was advised to upgrade to a 3G phone asap in order to avoid a disruption in service. I know, I know, I am behind the times. Does anyone have suggestions for a 3G phone that is easy to use. I have an unreasonable fear of new technology.

Thanks!

Abner

 

IMHO, it's not the phone, it's the OS. Either major one, iOS on the Apple and Android on almost everything else, should do. The easiest OS is the one you've learned, but you also have to consider app availability. No worries with Apple iOS or Android. Android gives you many more--and more affordable--phone choices.

 

stupid question, but what is OS? It seems like my friends that have monthly plans pay the minimum monthly rate, but somehow their phone bills are hundreds of dollars. Under my pre paid plan, I buy $100.00 of minutes, and it lasts me a year. Of course, I don't have internet on my phone.

 

You should consider one of the Windows phones. Very easy to use, and very affordable. Most prepaid plans have one. Android can be overwhelming for someone not tech savvy.

 

Thanks guys. I think I will check out the Windows phones. Thanks for the tip.

 

If you don't need/want/use internet then the only app you really need is the default Phone app in either iphone or android. The icon for mine is in the lower left corner of the screen and has a symbol of a phone. Tap it with your finger (akin to clicking an icon with a mouse) and it opens. On the bottom of the screen one should see the phone options. Tap one to use it. These are typically Voice mail, Contacts, and Keypad. Tap the Keypad icon and you have a familiar looking push button keypad phone. That's about all there is to it for the basics. Play around and you might find a few more options useful to you. I hope this helps.

 

Thanks! That sound pretty straight forward. I think I will go check out phones this weekend.

 

OS: Operating System

 

A few questions

If I have a prepaid plan (no internet), can I take pictures on my phone and transfer them into my computer some how?

Also, I would like to get an internet phone plan for my wife. Does anyone know of the cheapest plan available?

Thanks!

Abner

 

There is a cable that will connect the USB port on your computer to your phone. It usually comes with the phone and with many modern phones is also used for charging. Once connected via cable, your phone is just another device, just like using a cable to connect a digital camera to a computer.

This is a loaded question and the answer probably changes every month. The best suggestion I can think of is first be sure you can get reception where the phone will be used, second get a data plan that will cover your usage. If you (or she) likes to watch video then more data will be required than simply checking email occasionally.

I have a Verizon's $45 per month pay-as-you-go plan with an iPhone that I purchased on eBay. I believe the plan includes unlimited talk and text and 1G data. Because I set up auto-pay with my credit card they give me 2G data. I check email, Facebook, Meetup, and the occasional online forum. I seldom use data though; usually I am on wifi. Data is used when I am checking our Meetup page to see who from my hiking group is showing to the trailhead. There is no wifi at the trailhead so I am on data then. Occasionally I may check my email when traveling such as when stopped at a rest area and use data then. I never download movies or watch videos on data so my data use is minimal. I don't think I've ever exceeded even 500M in a month.

I think Sprint currently has the cheapest plan but I don't keep up with such things. StraighTalk is usually competitive also.

 

I would NOT consider Microsoft Windows and Apple iOS based mobile telephones, in light of your posts.

You read like someone who is frugal and does not get swayed by the most recent trends.

I would not consider Microsoft Windows for two reasons - they abandon more products and services than a politician abandons her promises. Their market share is near-non existent compared to iOS and Android, and have limited non-Microsoft support in add-ons, products and applications.

I would not consider Apple iOS for two reasons - they force older models into obsolescence. Products, add-ons and applications are, in general, more expensive than Android equivalents.

If you are going with a smart phone (computer with cell phone), Android is the most cost effective and easiest to port or transfer from carrier to carrier. The operating system (OS) is supported by a multitude of device manufacturers and cellular service carriers. The caveat is security depends on you.

 

Can't agree with you there, and I'm an Android guy myself. Older Android phones (except for Google's own phones) often NEVER get OS updates while older iPhones pretty much always do. The newest IOS9 runs on the iPhone 4s, and that's a 4+ year old phone. Try to run the latest Android on a phone that old. Also, for someone who doesn't want to have to learn how to use their phone, an iPhone is much easier to "just use" than Android is.

 

Thanks everyone for your help and comments!

Wow! I have a lot to think over. I do have a question. Do pre-paid phones get OS updates? What does an OS update entail? Is it a hassle? I would like to have a phone that I either never have to update, or at least rarely update. As you can tell, I rarely change cell phones. I am looking for the easiest to use, hassle free phone as I am just not tech oriented.

 

Updates are generally optional. The phone notices theres a new update available, then tells you about it. When you've got nothing better to do, you can click the button and the phone updates itself. If you never say yes, then the phone doesn't update and just keeps working. Once a year is a pretty frequent update cycle.

It has nothing to do with your phone plan. Even a phone with no plan can get updated over WiFi. In the end, it's going to come down to price and ease of use. The iPhones are easier to use, but they're more expensive. There are some very cheap Android phones, but they can be a little more complex to deal with. If all you want to do make calls and text, and you avoid adding apps and stuff to the phone, you may not see all that much difference between them. You might even find that with a large touch screen, it's easier to get things done than with your old phone.

 

$45.00 a month sounds reasonable. Our intention is not to download movies or watch videos, or play games on our phone. I do like the thought of being able to check on emails. I don't do FB, but my wife does. So, more stupid questions, but obviously if you have internet access, I imagine you can look up restaurants, get directions, google searches etc. You can also take pictures and email them to people right?

Sorry for my ignorance, this is a new world to me. My wife has been saying I should get a phone with internet access as well so we don't fall behind the times. I am starting to think she is right.

Thanks! Abner

 

Hi, actually there are a lot of 3G phones. Others are correct that you may choose between IOS and Android phones. I do have both but if you have the budget, I suggest for an IOS phones. It could also depend on your preferences, budget and requirements.

 

Older Android devices do not get updates after a while from the original vendor.

On the other hand, one can take most Android device and load the latest OS themselves.

There was a study done where Apple pushes an "update" to older iOS devices just before a new version of the device comes out. Surprisingly it slows older devices down, each and every time.

 

Abner - forget all that other stuff you've been told. Go out and spend the money and buy a new phone with all the bells and whistles. Then go out and rent some 15 year old kid to show you how to use it. You may not "need" it but once you learn the functions and the apps, etc. you will use them and you'll be glad you did. Worst case scenario? You'll discover that you really don't enjoy it. Then you can downgrade based on informed opinion. Join the modern world.

 

Here is one, easy to use and portable to boot. A win-win if you ask me. You can thank me later.

 

Yes to all of the above. So you went from just wanting a basic phone to looking up restaurants. See how quickly it spirals out of control? (smile)

Actually, the Google Maps app was one of the big selling points for me to upgrade from a dumb phone (not a derogatory term, just a not-smart phone) to a smart phone. My job occasionally puts me in unfamiliar towns and using Google maps to determine where I am and what restaurants are near by is awesome.

There is also a regular Google app for simply looking things up. I believe both of these apps are free. Even apps that one buys are typically under $5, at least in my experience.

If you can use a computer (and obviously you can), you can learn the essentials of using apps in a few minutes.

You can probably get a family plan that has you both sharing data for less than two individual plans. You will still each have your own phone number.