On Fri, Oct 1, 2010 at 9:26 AM, Joshua D. Drake <[email protected]> wrote: > On Thu, 2010-09-30 at 21:51 -0700, geremy condra wrote: > >> >> You can get an Android phone from any of the major carriers. The four >> majors each have a variety of both top- and mid-tier devices running >> it, and you can either buy the phones from them, through middlemen >> like RadioShack or WalMart, or online from Amazon etc. Verizon, >> Sprint, and T-Mobile all allow you to buy them off-contract, and if >> you're buying a top-tier phone and have the cash to buy off contract >> you should. > > I do not recommend buying off-contract. It is usually a wash if you end > up breaking the contract in terms of penalties versus buying > off-contract and if you end up not breaking the contract you get a great > deal.
My experience has been that especially with top-tier devices you come out ahead buying off-contract. It's usually not much in terms of cash ($100-$200 would be typical) but it's a nice bonus on top of not being stuck with one phone or company for another for two years. It's also been my experience that most people interested in top-tier phones switch them more often than that. YMMV, of course. >> >> As for the different kinds and brands, you can check out the writeup I >> did on the topic on my buzz[0]. Personally I don't think what I wrote >> there is much less accurate today than it was back then, but YMMV. The >> new G2 also looks to be pretty amazing, so if you're already leaning >> towards T-Mobile that might be enough to tip the scales in its favor. > > I have an HTC Incredible. It is a great phone. I also had a G1 until I > switched to Verison. It was a rock solid little phone (if a bit slow). > If the G2 is anywhere as solid you can feel confident in it. Amen. HTC makes great phones. Geremy Condra
