Android Phone

In My Humble Opinion
1

Hello Everyone,
Well, after 2 years of faithful service my HTC G1 is finally giving up the ghost. I need to purchase a new Android Phone and I don’t want to re-up my contract with AT&T so I am looking to buy either new, refurbished or a used Android. So a couple of questions:

1: Does anyone know a good source online to purchase refurbed or used Androids? Yes, I have looked at Ebay, but with a used phone from an individual the margin for problems is too huge. At least with a company that specialized in this market I will have a better shot of getting something that works. I have done a few searches, but would prefer to use a company someone has used before and can vouch for.

2: Any suggestions on a used or refurbed phone? I have considered another G1, but it looks to be quite dated so I guess it is time to upgrade. Besides, the refurbed G1s I saw on Ebay seemed to be as expensive as newer models.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

2

Since answers to the OP will be mostly opinions, less travel from GQ to IMHO.

samclem, Moderator

3

Remember, the contract is what allows you to buy a phone at below cost, as the cellular company is subsidizing the cost of the phone in order to get you into the contract.

If you don’t want any contract, consider prepaid. Boost Mobile has an android phone (Samsung Galaxy) for $180 which isn’t cheap, but will cost you less over the long run, plus you won’t have a contract. Plus, you’d have a new phone which sounds like a better option for you, since you sound jittery about refurbs and/or private sellers.

4

Here’s areview of the Boost Galaxy.

5

Check out CowBoom. They are essentially Best Buy’s online outlet store. Tons of dirt-cheap used/refurb previous generation phones and other electronics there.

6

I still have a year left on my At&t contract, so I have to stay with them. The problem is if I get a subsidised phone through them I have to re-up for another two years. Second problem is that I have unlimited data for $15. I have had that for about 2 years and I don’t know if I am grandfathered in or it is just an error on their part, but I don’t want to rock the boat. Something tells me if I inquire about it with them, it won’t be $15 much longer.

7

Thanks for the link. Looks like this might be the one. Has anyone used them before? Is the warranty/replacement plan worth it?

8

I actually just found them the other day. I ordered an iPod Touch for my friend. Everthing on the site is used and the replacement plan is only 9 bucks for a year (for the iPod at least; it may vary with other products), and I figured it’s worth that amount if I’m already shelling out a C-note, and hell if it’s still running after a year I’ve gotten my money’s worth out of it.

9

Well, thanks to everyone for the advice, but my question is now moot. My sister decided to be nice to me for once and is giving me her old iPhone 3G. I shudder to think that I will actually use and own and Apple product, but free is free.
I will certainly miss my Android and not really sure if I will like the iPhone compared to the Android, but the people that have them seem to love them so I will see.