With the new school year already here for some, we felt like we should fulfill our duty and present you with an informative Back to School Phone Guide. Busy times are coming, folks, meaning lots of you won't be able to spend so much time with their close ones. And we know this doesn't feel good, as we've visited a few classes ourselves, not that long ago... but that's a different story. What's important now is this: how are you going to get by without missing your friends, relatives, girlfriends, boyfriends, lovers (alright, we're going a bit too far here) that much. Fear not – we've got just the right painkiller for you, and it's called – wireless communication.
And no, we ain't those nerdy geeks you think we are, because we'll not simply throw a bunch of high-end smartphones at you and say “There you go, pick one up!”, no. It is no secret that students need large quantities of food in order to keep them going through those long school days. Feel like you can eat an elephant, but your budget is getting dangerously low? We feel you, buddy, but what the heck is that EVO 4G doing in your pocket?! It ain't good for eatin'! Just come inside and check the various handsets we have selected for our Back to School Phone Guide 2010.
Ah, the DROID X... by Motorola. Isn't she a beauty? An enormous 4.3” screen with a snappy processor and the latest technology built right in. This Android-powered smartphone surely packs a lot of punch and can do a lot to make your life easier. The bad thing? It comes at a premium price of $199 with a two-year contract.
Sometimes it is not all about the size. It's not that it doesn't matter, but it's still not the one most vital criteria. You that's what you're thinking, the DROID 2 might be just your cup of tea with its 3.7” display, 1GHz chipset and QWERTY keyboard. It might be a bit underpowered when compared to the DROID X, but who cares when it's got that unforgettable style? Style too comes at a price though - $199 with a two-year contract.
Verizon's decent offerings do not end with the DROID X and 2, of course. HTC is still strong with the Droid Incredible, which doesn't fall short with its 3.7” screen and 1GHz Snapdragon. Android is the name of the game for Verizon right now, and this is one perfectly up-to-date smartphone, going for $199.99 with a new two-year contract.
What's better bang for the buck than free? Although not the most popular smartphone out there, the Pixi Plus does know how to send texts, surf the web and entertain with 3D games. A small phone with big features – this is how the Pixi Plus is best described. Unfortunately, the problem with the required $30 data package persists.
If you simply hate paying $30 a month for a smartphone plan, Samsung has you covered with the Reality – a side-sliding QWERTY feature phone with a 3” touchscreen that can be yours for $19.99 with a two-year contract and just a $10 monthly data package.
The iPhone needs no introduction, nor does the iPhone 4. This is by far the best iPhone out of Apple's camp that can really do a lot to keep you connected, organized, informed and entertained. Its 3.5” 640x960 pixel display, along with the ultra-powerful A4 chipset equals just the right amount of fun factor that a true premium phone should have. It's going for $199.99 with a two-year contract and requires a data plan of at least $15 a month.
Who said AT&T doesn't offer great Android smartphones? The Captivate is just that, thanks to its 4” screen and 1GHz Hummingburd chipset. That should be your handset of choice in case you don't care much for 3rd party software, but a large screen is a must for you. AT&T's Galaxy S variant is priced at $199.99 with a two-year contract.
Available for free with a two-year plan, the Palm Pixi Plus is one of the best smartphone deals out there. Coming in a very compact form factor, it sports features like a 2.6” capacitive touchscreen and 2MP camera to complement the webOS operating system that's great for multitasking.
If a contemporary smartphone is not on your wish list, then you can play it safe by choosing the Samsung Sunburst. It is available for free with a two-year contract, but what really makes it stand out is its eye-catchy futuristic exterior. A 3” touchscreen, 2MP camera and GPS are the goodies that give the Sunburst some added value.
Well, you really can't go wrong with the HTC EVO 4G. It runs Android, which is among the best mobile operating systems right now, plus it boasts a giant 4.3” touchscreen that makes everything from viewing images to web browsing more fun. If you don't find that 1GHz Snapdragon beast too big for your hands, then you can get one from Sprint, at a price of $199.99 with a two-year plan.
Now here's a pretty decent Android 2.1 offering that won't even break the bank with its $99.99 on-contract price tag. The Intercept is perfect for messaging thanks to its handy slide-out QWERTY keyboard, while the 3-inch screen seems to be just enough for casual web and multimedia needs. Ladies will be able to enjoy a beautiful pink version.
Starting August 31, you'll be able to purchase the Samsung Epic 4G – Sprint's second WiMAX smartphone – for the epic price of $249.99 with a brand new two-year contract. The Epic 4G will surely pay off though, as it will provide you with the goodness of a 4” Super AMOLED screen, 1GHz Humminbird chipset, WiMAX connectivity, 720p HD video recording and a full QWERTY keyboard.
One of the best feature phones in Sprint's lineup, the LG Rumor Touch packs quite a punch with its 3” screen, QWERTY keyboard, GPS, 3G, 2MP camera and microSDHC card slot. This side-slider is available for only $49.99 on contract through the nation's third-largest carrier.
This budget-cautious handset is a pretty decent offering for what it is. It may not be that powerful, but hey, for $20 on contract you get a touchscreen and full QWERTY keyboard that is sure to speed up your messaging experience.
The Samsung Vibrant is probably the best smartphone one can buy at T-Mobile. This Galaxy S variant sports an impressive 4” Super AMOLED touchscreen which is great for multimedia. The phone's outstanding specs continue with the 1GHz Humminbird chipset that not only guarantees smooth system performance, but also makes intense 3D gaming possible at high frame rates. The Vibrant can be yours for $199.99 with a two-year service agreement and a data or messaging plan of at least $14.98.
The myTouch 3G Slide by HTC is a contemporary smartphone running on Android 2.1 OS. It is feature-rich, being equipped with a healthy-sized 3.4” touch-sensitive screen with HVGA resolution, a 5MP camera with LED flash, 3G and GPS.
What can get girls interested in you more than a business-class smartphone? Well, just in case that it turns out it's something else than the BlackBerry Curve 8520, keep in mind that it is still a highly-capable device with Wi-Fi and an awesome QWERTY keyboard that would make typing those texts a breeze. The best part? It's available for free with a new two-year contract.
Now, what better new handset to choose for your return to the class room than the Samsung Comeback? This landscape-oriented clamshell that happens to have a decent QWERTY keyboard will surely come in handy once those texts start pouring in. Plus, your mom and dad will surely appreciate the fact that it comes for free.
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