Best Cheap cell Phones

[todpod]

We are having an event lasting 4 days this summer with older teenagers. The theme of the event is based on selfies and self esteem. We make a video as part of the event. Many of these youth do not have cell phones. We were thinking about handing out and passing around some cell phones for them to take selfies. We would incorporate these into the video. We would probably hand out the phones once its all over to the youth.

So what would be the best way to do this, Trac phones? Walmart has trac Phones for about $20 each, ATT go phones (Lumina 640) for about $30. I don't intend to activate them unless I have to to use it for this. It would be nice if they were phones they could use with multiple providers so they could shop around.

Any ideas or suggestions

 

[paperwastage]

(even if you don't intend to activate it, some phone still have a SIM-activation screen on startup... cannot be bypassed)

verizon phones are somewhat easy - they cannot SIM-lock the phone, though they block GSM in a different way -
http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-e-2015/general/how-to-verizon-moto-e-2015-gsm-network-t3098953

at&t phones are the easiest - (MUST not turn on phone), you can request unlock code as a non-at&t customer, and they'll usually provide it to you within 48 hours.

at your price point, you'll likely need to get a "subsidized" prepaid phone from a carrier, which usually means little-to-no cross-carrier support...

AT&T/T-mobile phones are best for cheap usage. If you don't care about being stuck on Sprint, you can activate a lot of sprint phones on RingPlus on their free plan

https://ringplus.net/#plans

 

[Crono]

We are having an event lasting 4 days this summer with older teenagers. The theme of the event is based on selfies and self esteem. We make a video as part of the event. Many of these youth do not have cell phones. We were thinking about handing out and passing around some cell phones for them to take selfies. We would incorporate these into the video. We would probably hand out the phones once its all over to the youth.

So what would be the best way to do this, Trac phones? Walmart has trac Phones for about $20 each, ATT go phones (Lumina 640) for about $30. I don't intend to activate them unless I have to to use it for this. It would be nice if they were phones they could use with multiple providers so they could shop around.

Any ideas or suggestions

Lumia 640 is probably the best in terms of photo and video quality at that price.

 

[Auric]

The ATT 640 can be turned on and used (while waiting for unlock code), just remove the preinstalled SIM first (and the no-SIM message is only displayed upon each power up and can be dismissed).

 

[RossMAN]

Another vote for the Nokia Lumia 640 (review) which starts as low as $5.99 from your local Walgreens B&M. Yes that's right $5.99 out the door, YMMV of course.

Assuming you have a few Walgreens stores near you, visit them and see if they have it in stock and for how much.

 

[todpod]

I like the 640 idea. I have one and it works well. I don't have a walgreens within 50 miles of me. But I will be near one next week so I might check it out.

 

[ericlp]

Moto E, from cricket. I was impressed with a free phone. Got one for the wife. She wanted a smaller screen. I had windows phone, but, I like android more.

 

[RossMAN]

Here's another option for $14.99 with free overnight shipping and it's Android. It's a low end phone that sucks though.

If you can find a Nokia Lumia 640 for $5.99 buy as many as you can, otherwise the above is an option but I would act fast. In my past experiences Tracfone deals come and go rather quickly.

 

[Lyfer]

A good pigeon and some paper!

 

[lxskllr]

Maybe you can contact a vendor, and discuss a non profit discount? Doesn't hurt to try.