US: Cheap phone + data no contract - where?

[GaijinPunch]

Sorry to be one of these bitches, but Google has too much fucking info. I basically need a shitty phone that can handle the Facebook app. iOS or Android is fine. Voice calls would be nice. That's about it.

I'm riding w/ people that might be able to use their phone as a hot spot at which point I'm fine. Forgot to get off my ass and sort out something. I know, I'm an idiot. Is it possible to get the phone for under $100 and then like $50 prepaid calls/data?

[emphatic]

IIRC, a jailbroken iPhone won't need a sim card to work. If you can find one that's cheap.

[GaijinPunch]

I had one but it was such a disaster last time I forgot to pack it. I want to forget about that experience anyway.

[Prales]

.

[GaijinPunch]

Yeah, $150 seems a bit overkill, actually.
TBH, I think I'm good for the next week or so. I'll figure it out after I'm back in reality. I do need something to hold me until the iPhone 6 cums out.

[Ed Oscuro]

It looks like iPhone 6 info might be released in the next week or so - there's a lot of rumors about stuff that might be released, so if you can hold off a little bit you might be able to plan that better.

Personally, I'd just find some cheapo Android phone, myself, but I haven't gotten into the Apple ecosystem - which of course would change that consideration.

[GaijinPunch]

Gonna look for a loner until the iphone 6. I have a 5s that I paid off for a small fortune in Japan, but will try to sell that one over there. Just gotta get someone to ship it out.

[brentsg]

I have an iPhone 3G that you can have, but it might be painful. It was on ATT so I'd have to see about unlocking it.

Would work for basic stuff, not sure with FB.

Edit: forgot to mention that I have a pink case for it.

[gct]

I use Chinese Android phones as my primary phones. Don't give a damn if they phone home or whatever the tinfoil crowd believes.

They are cheap, decent, dual-SIM standby, non-carrier-locked, and easily rooted. They also tend to come with an extra battery.

I'm not in USA so I can't comment on service providers.

[Warp_Rattler]

Try Virgin Mobile. You buy the phone (they've got a selection of various Android phones, some of which are old but under $100) and then you pay $30/$45 on a somewhat monthly interval to top up minutes & messages. Data gets throttled if you use too much, iirc, which was never a problem for me when I was back home, but now that I'm used to Japanese usage patterns I don't know. No contract, you quit whenever you want by just not paying for new minutes.

You can top up minutes with prepaid cards, online, or straight from the phone. Phones can be purchased at finer retail hell institutions everywhere such as Radio Shack and Worst Buy, or ordered from the Virgin Mobile website.

Looks like they do iPhones, but not cheap. Not sure why it's still so expensive, but I used the LG Optimus V for over a year and really liked it, after flashing a community ROM to upgrade to Android 2.3.7, which even back then felt ancient. Still, solid phone, great battery life, and pretty darn usable despite its age and low power. Might not be ideal but if you need something less prehistoric than a keitai, it might be worth giving it a shot.

http://www.virginmobileusa.com/ Hope that helps.

[GaijinPunch]

That does, actually.
I will look into that.

[Specineff]

One word of advice: Virgin Mobile rides on the Sprint network. I had a phone with them once, and while not crappy, it wasn't as decent as Cricket, for example.

[mikehaggar]

Buy an old AT&T IPhone. I have a 4S, but if you get a 4 or 3G used, you could get away with under 150.

Then, sign up at H20 wireless. They are a reseller for att's servers. All plans are prepaid with unlimited calls.
https://www.h2owirelessnow.com/mainCont ... =planMonth

$40 includes 1gb data
$50 includes 2gb
$60 includes unlimited data

This is what I do and it's awesome! I scoff at contracts. Plus, you don't need to unlock a phone!

[SuperGrafx]

There are more options out there than just old iPhones and bottom of the barrel android phones.
It does Facebook and all the other

Check out a Nokia Lumia 520 for a basic and affordable Windows Phone which runs for about $50 brand new.
You can use it on a post paid network like AT&T's GoPhone or a cheaper carrier like Cricket (which runs on AT&T's LTE network).

Bottomline, there are plenty of options out there.

[Domino]

I use MetroPCS and it is $40 a month unlimited internet (first 500 MB 4G then it is 3G but then again getting it for I think $50 it is unlimited 4G) and they have quality phones for $100 or less. The catch is that they only offer 4G at most of the big cities (I live in Jax, FL which offers 4G). Then again, T-Mobile purchased Metro so I think all of MetroPCS service is on T-Mobile network?

[Aleksei]

Don't give a damn if they phone home or whatever the tinfoil crowd believes.

Can you explain that for me?

[GaijinPunch]

Plenty of options, yes, I'm sure. The caveat is I need to know where to go, and walk in there in like an hour and have it all sorted out.