Thinking about a new phone, Verizon wireless.

[nOOky]

My Motorola Droid Razr is getting old. Currently we have unlimited data/text. We actually only use slightly less than 2 GB on two lines per month, but lots of texts.
I don't surf the web much or watch videos, but I do use it for looking things up in the store or on the road that type of thing.

Mainly I use my phone for the camera, texting, actually talking to other people, fitness apps, and the built-in navigation.

I don't want a phone with a bulbous camera, just a decent camera as fits in a normal chassis.

I stay on Verizon because I receive a 17% discount through my employer.

My quandry is do I buy a phone like the Nexxus 5 outright and use that, or possibly choose a new plan because of my relatively low usage and get a subsidized phone.
I do not want anything like a Note or larger, may as well carry a Kindle around then

I also have also shied away from HTC's because I prefer something closer to stock Android.

Are there any other phones coming down the pipe that would be worth a look? Also is this a good time to buy a new phone? I'm in no hurry and can wait until after the holidays if that's a better time.

 

[Paladin]

Since you're using your phone mostly for "camera, texting, actually talking to other people, fitness apps, and the built-in navigation" you probably wouldn't need a phone with a larger screen (LG G2, S4, Note...). I was looking at phones yesterday, I'm really debating on the Note 3 because I use my device for a lot of multimedia and browsing. But for your needs seriously look at the Moto X. It's not as large, runs almost stock android, and everyone seems to love the software enhancements.
Verizon won't get the Nexus 5....

 

[master7045]

I have a G2 for sale on this forum...

Shameless plug is over, the g2 has a great screen and camera, but I found it too big and I couldn't get used to the buttons. This may or may not be an issue for you. Phone is blazing fast though. I ended up with a Dev edition of the moto x and love it
Size is just right for me and no issues at all. I went with the Dev edition BC I wanted 32 GB storage.

 

[Geekbabe]

I am currently testing a Moto Droid Ultra, a 5 inch screen but it's slim form factor makes it easy to handle. It's attractively priced too. Disclaimer : I am a Verizon lifestyle tech review blogger

 

[nOOky]

I need to head on down to the store to actually get my hands on a few different phones...

 

[Arachnotronic]

Get an iPhone 5S. Guarantee you that you'll never go Android again.

 

[Oyeve]

Get an iPhone 5S. Guarantee you that you'll never go Android again.

Yeah, he'll go blind looking at the tiny screen. Get a note 3.

 

[nOOky]

I gotta admit I'm not up on current phone tech. The only thing I have ever rooted was an original Kindle Fire... Anyway, if the Nexxus 5 will work with my sim card on Verizon I'd buy it outright. That's kind of what I was asking. I have a certain amount of money set aside for a phone, and I won't buy a $650 phone, but $300-$400 max is doable if all's I have to do is activate it on my current account.
Since I use so little data I might actually save money on a different plan (I think) if I renewed to get a newer phone like the G2 cheaper.

 

[s44]

Anyway, if the Nexxus 5 will work with my sim card on Verizon I'd buy it outright.

It won't.

You can get really nice condition secondhand S4s for under $400 though.

 

[Nintendesert]

I like to get whatever is going for .01 dollars. Amazon or bestbuy offer better deals than a Verizon store usually.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

if you like close-to-stock android get droid maxx, they just lowered the price to $499. it isnt clear the nexus 5 is going to eb on verizon. i dont know why you would want to do this but if youre going to get rid of unllimited, you should sell you account for some cash. id never get rid of unlimited, you never know if you might need to tether

 

[AHamick]

Go to your local VZW and test out the LG G2 (its supposed to have a great camera) or the Droid Maxx/Ultra/Mini/Moto X (Close to stock Android).

I grabbed a Droid Maxx shortly after its release and I absolutely love the phone. It is silky smooth and I have yet to experience any sort of lag or stuttering.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

Go to your local VZW and test out the LG G2 (its supposed to have a great camera) or the Droid Maxx/Ultra/Mini/Moto X (Close to stock Android).

I grabbed a Droid Maxx shortly after its release and I absolutely love the phone. It is silky smooth and I have yet to experience any sort of lag or stuttering.

that phone has the on switch where the budhole is supposed to be

 

[AHamick]

that phone has the on switch where the budhole is supposed to be

I agree the button layout on the G2 is very strange. This is why I suggest someone physically holds it to determine if it something they can tolerate. The G2 also has the "knock knock" feature to turn the screen on and off.

I preferred the maxx due to its similarity to my RAZR maxx and the active notifications. Aside from showing notifications without having to turn on the entire screen I almost always use it to just turn on the phone instead of the power button.

 

[gmaster456]

I would look at the Droid Ultra or the G2. I think I would probably choose the former over the latter though.

 

[nOOky]

I was able to handle the G2, MAXX, Ultra, the mini, the iphone 5s etc. this morning. None of these were actually that much bigger than my current phone, in fact the iphone's screen is so small, that took it out of contention as well as the mini.
Her and I will get phones at the same time, her phone is always running out of battery so she will probably go with the MAXX. I am still undecided.
As for unlimited data, together we have never used more than 1.8 gigs a month, so we'd probably go with the 2 gig plan and save $23 a month over what we pay now. I'd like to keep unlimited of course just in case, but for what I'd save I could just up my plan for a month or two if I ever need it.

 

[s44]

I would look at the Droid Ultra or the G2.

Why would you choose the Ultra over the X or MAXX?

 

[gmaster456]

Why would you choose the Ultra over the X or MAXX?

Well if he likes the Ultra chances are he'll like the Maxx :whiste:

 

[MBentz]

If performance and value mean anything to a VZW customer, I don't know why you wouldn't pick a G2 over all the other Android offerings. I know there are complaints about the volume and power button locations, but from reading over at XDA it seems most of the cases solve that complaint. The G2 really seems like a winner.

 

[dguy6789]

Why would you choose the Ultra over the X or MAXX?

Ultra is better than the X. It goes Maxx > Ultra > X.

 

[mnewsham]

If performance and value mean anything to a VZW customer, I don't know why you wouldn't pick a G2 over all the other Android offerings. I know there are complaints about the volume and power button locations, but from reading over at XDA it seems most of the cases solve that complaint. The G2 really seems like a winner.

Yeah, I spent the past week looking up and doing some hands on time with all the AT&T and Verizon options, I am currently on AT&T and decided to stay with them and pick up the LG G2, should arrive in a few days. From handling it the buttons will take a few days to get used to, but even from just holding it briefly I knew it wouldn't be a big deal. The battery life on the G2, the 2.26Ghz CPU, and the 24/192 native FLAC support are really what made the G2 the clear winner over any of the other offerings out there right now.

And that's not even mentioning the camera, screen quality, the lack of a noticeable bezel, etc.

 

[Thegonagle]

I have the current Droid Maxx. The Energizer Bunny-like battery life is just awesome. (The rest of the phone isn't bad either.)

Now, my previous two phones were the Thunderbolt and the Galaxy Nexus, both notoriously bad for battery life, so I might have overcompensated a little when I chose the Maxx, but it's so nice not to worry about plugging in several times a day. I'm very happy with my choice. I wouldn't want to go back now.

Since you're using an older Maxx, you probably wouldn't want to go backwards in battery life. Therefore, I think you'd like the new Maxx.

 

[Arachnotronic]

Yeah, he'll go blind looking at the tiny screen. Get a note 3.

I don't go blind looking at the "tiny screen".

 

[Oyeve]

I don't go blind looking at the "tiny screen".

Well yay you.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

Not sure if people realize that the G2 actually has as good as, or better battery than the Maxx. Faster processor, and immensely better screen.