Need advice on cell phone choice

[randr]

We have been happy with our Credo Sprint account w/ Sanyo phone (very simple), and the service of 1400+ minutes a month for two phones and numbers at a cost of around $130/mo.. My wife and I are considering an upgrade to a smarter phone with all the bells and whistles.
We qualify for new Samsung Galaxy S™ II Epic™ 4G Touch phone @$99 ea.
Is this a good deal?
Where is a better deal?

[Motown_Johnny]

1. Same carrier (Sprint)?

[randr]

11. Yes, Sprint is the carrier. Credo is the billing agent

[janlyn]

2. Can't go wrong

You really can't go wrong with an android phone..Especially Samsung!!!

See with iphones, you have a warranty with apple which means you have to send in your phone for repair.

In order to use their app store you have to either

1) give them your credit card info,even if you never plan on buying anything
2) Or purchase an itunes card

Your hardware warranty is only good for 90 days
And after 90 days if you want to call apple for tech support you have to give them your credit card # and they charge you to speak with you.

With Android ( None of the above)


I have worked in tech support and have 8 yrs. of wireless experience

[truebrit71]

3. I have a Samsung Galaxy SII 4G and it was alot more than $99 when I bought it...

...i think that's a heck of a deal...

[Callmecrazy]

4. Boost Mobile (Sprint)

I have a smartphone with Unlimited minutes for voice, data, and text. $50/month. Make 6 on time payments and it goes to $45. All the way down to $35/month. Great coverage and great service.

[ProgressiveEconomist]

5. The real cellphone cost is not upfront but in monthly charges. As long as

this is an upgrade and your monthly package stays the same, you can't go far wrong. If the phone you've chosen is an upgrade choice, try googling for reviews with this URL:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=review+"samsung galaxy s ii epic 4g"&ct=clnk

Also try changing what's between the quotation marks to the other upgrade options Sprint is offering you.

IMO, PC magazine and EnGadget hardware reviews are often the most thorough. But googling also will often turn up YouTube videos that show you EXACTLY what you'd be getting.

When you order, be sure to ask about policies on returning the phones in case you don't like them.

[tkmorris]

6. That Galaxy S II is the best phone Credo carries

I have been thinking of switching back to Credo and have kept an eye on their smartphone options as that is the only downside for me to having Credo; their selection of phones is always a generation behind. Technically the SII is an older model since the III is out now, but it is one hell of good phone and was truly cutting edge as recently as last Christmas. The display is of course SUPER AMOLED (check that out if you like, but trust me it's excellent) and the phone is plenty fast. It has a pretty good rear facing camera as well as a front facing one for video calls etc. It should be getting Ice Cream Sandwich soon, I'd need to check that with Credo since I don't know how they are with rolling out software updates. In short it is just a great phone. And yes, $99 for that is a good price.

I assume you know that you WILL have to have a data plan for that, it's mandatory. One of the great things about Credo though is they have truly unlimited data plans, unlike most of the other companies. You might want to check for 4G coverage where you live, that doesn't exist everywhere. If you don't get 4G you will still get 3G of course, it just won't be as fast.

[Egalitarian Thug]

7. OMFG! $130 p/mo for two phones with a limit?

So-called progressive company, indeed.

[BlueIdaho]

8. VirginMobile No Contract Plans also use Sprint

If you are interested in a no contract option you may want to look at VirginMobile's Beyond Talk plans. You can buy an iPhone (unsubsidized) and then pick an unlimited talk, text, and data plan for $55/month - no contract. I saw some calculations that showed this option saving ~$300 over a two year contract with subsidized iPhone over Verizon or ATT.

Note: They also offer other phones - but no Samsung models.

Good Luck!

[NightWatcher]

9. I'm an iPhone slut with Att and we have a family plan

We used to have unlimited, but I no longer work in the field and calls made from the house to other cells dont count. Plus we have a mini cell tower in our guest bedroom that runs all of our calls through the internet. It's a great tool if you live in an area with bad coverage. It's called the MiniCell from ATT.

[nc4bo]

10. Does Credo always use Sprint towers?

Reason I ask because we use Straighttalk and the carriers vary according to the type of phone.

ATT and Sprint (I think it's Sprint) suck here (at my address) but Verizon has been giving very good service.

Just something to think about - not sure how CREDO works.

[randr]

12. Sprint is the server with the best coverage out here

in Western Colorado. I understand the cost of the phones is a real deal, although I do have to sign on for the two year gig have been without a contract for a number of years. I am not questioning the quality of the phones. My biggest concern is if I am paying too much for limited use and if I will be paying a lot more for unlimited voice and data?
Thanks for all the replies, you are all very helpful.