Smart phone without a plan (Verizon, computer, iPhone, Android)

[augiedogie]

I'm the first to admit, I don't know much about smart phones. My wife wants one to use the with the wifi, the camera, display pictures etc. However, she doesn't actually talk or text much on the phone, so a 50-80 dollar a month cell phone plan is a waste of good money. So, are there smart phones that we can purchase that are not tied to a supplier, but the functions will all still work on their own and she can use the wifi and home and work for all the functionality she needs?

[NJBest]

The iPod Touch is basically a smartphone without a voice/data plan.

[dontaskwhy]

Originally Posted by NJBest

The iPod Touch is basically a smartphone without a voice/data plan.

Actually it would be better described as a smartphone without a phone.

[augiedogie]

I had suggested the Kindle to my wife but she wanted something the size of an smartphone so the ipod touch sounds like the best alternative. Apparently no one else makes what used to be considered a handheld computer. There used to be devices like the Palm Pilot, but are no longer made. I remember HP made one also.

[NJBest]

An alternative to the ipod touch is the Android equivalent: Samsung Galaxy Player 5.0

There probably are other Android variants around.

[Willsson]

Take a look at Page Plus Cellular. I had a major carrier plan with HTC Smartphone, $85 a month. So I killed that plan and ported the phone to Page Plus and have a $12 plan. 250 mins talk, 250 text, 10meg network. I use WatchDog to make sure I don't hit the 10 meg download.

Well, I use about 10 minutes talk a month and about ten text. But I've turned OFF the network and use the WiFi exclusively. At home, the grocery, Home Depot, Starbucks...

Sounds like that may satisfy your needs. The carrier is a Verizon reseller. The texting is Vz texting.

And it's month to month, on a credit card.

[smokingGun]

you should get a IPad mini... it's got everything except the phone. Honestly I don't know why Apple just didn't include a calling feature via external BT headset.

[Crashj007]

7" android and connect with your home PC or wifi when out and about.No need for cellular. You can get these for under $200 on eBay.

[wrcousert]

Originally Posted by NJBest

The iPod Touch is basically a smartphone without a voice/data plan.

The features of the iPod Touch pale in comparison to the iPhone (less RAM, worse camera, slower processor.)

You could buy an iPhone and use it like an iPod Touch, but that would mean having to carry a separate feature phone and keeping two devices charged.

Why won't the big carriers allow people to buy smart phones at full retail price (no subsidies) and use them without a data plan?

[brianjb]

You can get an iPhone on a prepaid plan. Then she can use the texting and stuff on wifi for free. And if she didn't use it much outside of wifi hotspots, she wouldn't use many minutes.


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