Prepaid service + quality phone: is it impossible?

[cmtrev]

Seems to me that the phones they try to sell with the prepaid service leave a lot to be desired. I'm no kid, so the games & ringtones don't blow my hair back -- I want a real phone!

Can I purchase a compatible (read GSM, CDMA, etc.) phone and SIM card of my choice and use it as a prepaid?

What's the best way to do this? Shop eBay? Go to a service center (please, no, anything but that!)?

[jk231]

You can use any Alltel phone on their prepaid plans. I'm pretty sure you can on Cingular's also, as you could just switch your sim card into any unlocked phone.

I just read that simple freedom from Walmart won't let you use another phone, and I don't think tracfone will either(not sure though).

Not familiar with any other carriers.

Ebay is a good source for used/new phones. Just be sure to check the ESNs to make sure they are clear, and check the seller's feedback.

[tknguyen]

Originally Posted by cmtrev

Seems to me that the phones they try to sell with the prepaid service leave a lot to be desired. I'm no kid, so the games & ringtones don't blow my hair back -- I want a real phone!

Can I purchase a compatible (read GSM, CDMA, etc.) phone and SIM card of my choice and use it as a prepaid?

What's the best way to do this? Shop eBay? Go to a service center (please, no, anything but that!)?

I agree - at Cingular's store I saw pretty uninteresting phones for their prepaid plans, starting at $120. I decided to look at eBay for better phones. There I bought an Ericsson T39m for $35 plus shipping and a Sony T300 for $45 plus shipping (both unlocked so I can use them with any GSM provider, plus they are world phones so they will work in most other countries). If you're concerned about roaming on 850MHz networks, get a Nokia 6340i since it will do 850 & 1900 MHz. So far the phones all seem to work ok, but I haven't been able to figure out why I can't get text messages working with them (yet).

I took the T39m and the T300 into the store and they set me up with the prepaid accounts no problem.

By the way, if someone at Cingular tries to tell you they won't port numbers to a prepaid plan, go to the store and find someone who'll do it for you. They definitely can do it, because my wife's and my own numbers ported fine to the new plans.

Also beware that when the port happens, both your old phone and your new phone should be turned off for at least 5 min., then turn on only your new phone; then try calling your cell number from a land line, and the port should work.

Good luck.