Smartphones Without a Data Plan? Any options?

[daMachine]

It looks like most of the major carriers are requiring data plans with smartphones.

The question is do any wifi smartphones qualify for service without the data plan?

I'd consider buying a smartphone with wifi outright (if I can find one reasonably priced; less than $350). $30/mo is more than I'm willing to spend for data as I'm tied to work or at the house most of the time (both with solid wifi signals).

I'd prefer to go with AT&T as most people I call regularly are with them (hence, I'd get a lower minutes plan to reduce price). Although, I'd consider T-Mobile, Sprint, or Verizon if the phone/plan is a better match for me.

thanks.


PS. I don't have a smartphone now.

 

[bonkers325]

buy an ipod touch, and a cheap at&t phone for calling

 

[zerocool84]

You can buy many smartphones unlocked and use them on AT&T or Tmobile. I bought a Nokia E51 unlocked from Amazon cus it has Wifi and connect to hotspots everywhere I go and don't have a dataplan. You can do that and buy an unlocked phone that has Wifi or as bonkers325 said get an ipod touch and a cheap at&t phone. I don't like carrying multiple things so I went the other way.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: bonkers325
buy an ipod touch, and a cheap at&t phone for calling

This is what my gf does and to be honest, its a far better option than buying things like the Fuze and having to install no data cabs.

Plus she can buy a cheap phone and beat it to hell and still not have to worry about contracts.

She has a 16GB 1st Gen iTouch with a Samsung Gloss on US Cellular. Unlimited texting and pics from her phone, with unlimited wifi browsing on the best browser on a portable device. All costs about the same as getting one expensive phone but no contracts to deal with and no troublesome data disabling.

 

[Muadib]

If you want a smartphone on at&t, you had better hurry...

 

[lupi]

Originally posted by: Muadib
If you want a smartphone on at&t, you had better hurry...

AT&T said the reason for the change is to make sure customers receive a more predictable bill each month.

"We want our customers to have the best possible experience with their smartphones," Boy Genius cited from an AT&T memo. "A predictable bill is a key factor in customer satisfaction





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