quick situation

What I don't really understand, is if you're 16, how are you in a contract? In order to get contract cell service through any provider, you must be at least 18 with a good credit history in most cases to avoid a deposit.

If you're under 18, you're really at the mercy of whomever the adult is that's in charge of your family plan account. You don't really have the option of going elsewhere and getting a smartphone.

I'm not trying to be mean or anything, but I just wanted to warn you if you're trying to make plans when you don't really have any options.

Assuming you have the freedom to go with the phone/provider of your choice, I would advise staying away from a pda/smartphone, including the iPhone. These phones require data in most cases, and often the cheapest plan is $60-$70/month. Even with the iPhone, the reviews haven't been that great and the data is horribly slow because it's not even 3G capable. If you want a phone for the appeal and coolness of features, get a AX8600 or a KRZR, which are less expensive phones than pda's with less expensive plans. On Alltel's website, the pda plans are the 'Smart Choice Packs.' I would also advise staying with Alltel because if you switch providers before your contract is over, you will be hit with a $200 early termination fee for canceling your contract before the end date. Not that this is a bad thing, I would personally recommend Alltel over AT&T anyway because the plans are better and in most places alltel covers, they do a great job of coverage. Also, if you're set on getting a smartphone, Alltel has the much larger hi-speed data (EVDO) footprint.

Even if you have the extra money to spend on a smartphone, it's really not a good investment IMHO. It's extra weight and bulkiness in your pocket and they're really designed far more for the concept of usefulness rather than coolness. Just in terms of appeal and coolness of features, out of every phone on the market, I would say that the KRZR can't be beat, but I'm a Motorola fan myself. The 8600 is the newest LG and the Wafer is the newest Samsung.

What I would do, is just get another regular phone. If you're not yet able to extend your contract and get a discount on the phone, you can either pay retail price or try to save by shopping on eBay or ording an AlltelU pre-paid phone. If you're contract is over in February, you should be able to get a new phone with a discount in December. Then, if you still wish to move to a smartphone, the newer, updated model of the PPC6700 should be out just in time for Christmas if not before then. Until then, you can actually consider the pros and cons of moving to a smartphone rather than making a spontaneous decision that may cost you extra for another 2 yrs.

 

Im not that into the whole phone deal thing i couldn't be called an expert, but couldn't you just buy a cheapie pre paid from walmart and have alltel activate it for you? If you need it when you leave for virgina?