• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Help What is best/reliable/affordable Samsung Smartphone alternative?

MDSF

Lurker
Sep 12, 2016
6
0
What is best/reliable/affordable Samsung Smartphone alternative?
============================================================

This is my first post. My minutes usage is low. I have Tmobile pay as you go plan that cause lot of restriction. I am looking for an alternative. I am leaning towards Ring Plus and looking for unlocked smartphone. I am seeing your insight.

I searched on internet on following subject. I find the following list.

Samsung's Galaxy Note 5
Samsung's Curved Galaxy S6 Edge+
LG V10, LG G5
Motorola's Moto X Pure Edition
Google's Nexus 6P Comes From Huawei
Ascend Mate 2 Is Another Huawei Option
LG G3 Delivers High-End Features
HTC One M8
Google Nexus 5, Nexus 5X

I prefer a model with Android that has Micro SD card to expand storage and replaceable batteries.

Did anyone in this forum use above models?

If you have a better alternative not listed above, feel free to share.

I did find ZTE zmax pro as good option, but it was tied to METRO PCS.

Where can I get the unlocked smartphone with best deal?

Thanks for sharing
 
Upvote 0
Thanks for your replies. I did review all your suggestions. I checked with ringplus plan folks. They say, SPRINT branded phones only acceptable to their plan. What are the SPRINT branded phones?



I did find Samsung note 4 unlocked is pricier than Galaxy S5 unlocked.



I did review walmart, newegg, amazon for pricing. What are the sites to get unlocked phone on fair price?



Thanks for sharing.
 
Upvote 0
They say, SPRINT branded phones only acceptable to their plan. What are the SPRINT branded phones?
Phones that were/are sold by Sprint, a cell phone carrier.

Some Sprint MVNOs (carriers that use Sprint towers like Ring Plus) can activate a limited number of unlocked phones not from Sprint, like Nexus phones, but maybe Ring Plus isn't able to and only accepts Sprint phones.
 
  • Like
Reactions: badcatz
Upvote 0
I did check the ringplus that work with CDMA, where I find the following devices to consider for R+

Moto E
Prepaid, Boost, or Virgin Mobile that was used and has been on paid service for 12 continuous months
Samsung galaxy s2
Htc one E8
Samsung note 3
Samsung galaxy s4
Samsung m300

Sprint acceptable phone list:

Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016)
Alcatel OneTouch PIXI 7

What are the best places to look for above devices?

Thanks for guidance.
 
Upvote 0
I bought a Samsung Galaxy J3(Verizon) at Target a little over a month ago for around $100. love the phone and its features just not a fan of the carrier, would have stayed with virgin mobile but they donthave coverage in the area I needed it for. I have an Alcatel One Touch PIXI5(Virgin Mobile) amd while I love the photos I take with it and the carrier, the damn thing tends to crash ALOT, no action dpecific, just random wonky crap. In my opinion I would go with the J3 but dont activate it through a carrier just head straight to ring plus(who sells phones as well)
 
Upvote 0
I bought a Samsung Galaxy J3(Verizon) at Target a little over a month ago for around $100. love the phone and its features just not a fan of the carrier, would have stayed with virgin mobile but they donthave coverage in the area I needed it for. I have an Alcatel One Touch PIXI5(Virgin Mobile) amd while I love the photos I take with it and the carrier, the damn thing tends to crash ALOT, no action dpecific, just random wonky crap. In my opinion I would go with the J3 but dont activate it through a carrier just head straight to ring plus(who sells phones as well)

Ringplus use sprint as carrier uses CDMA, but Verizon use GSM. How will Samsung Galaxy J3(Verizon) at Target work in Ringplus?

I did check the models in kmart virgin or boost mobile phones Moto E, ZTE Prestige , LG k3, and LG Tribute 5. I ran the imei numbers in R+. These devices fall in reasonable price range, but I got

This device has failed the Financial Eligibilty Date (FED) check. Unfortunately, it cannot be registered at this time. Please contact your existing carrier to see if your device can be released

This device is currently registered on a different pre-paid provider and is therefore not able to register.

Are there any workaround?

Thanks for guidance.
 
Upvote 0
Ringplus use sprint as carrier uses CDMA, but Verizon use GSM. How will Samsung Galaxy J3(Verizon) at Target work in Ringplus?

I did check the models in kmart virgin or boost mobile phones Moto E, ZTE Prestige , LG k3, and LG Tribute 5. I ran the imei numbers in R+. These devices fall in reasonable price range, but I got

This device has failed the Financial Eligibilty Date (FED) check. Unfortunately, it cannot be registered at this time. Please contact your existing carrier to see if your device can be released

This device is currently registered on a different pre-paid provider and is therefore not able to register.

Are there any workaround?

Thanks for guidance.
Screenshot_20160929-112728.png
as you can see ring plus works with any type of phones/carrier. Only work around I am aware of is calling your carrier to unlock your phone or(did i read this here) use obe of their phones for a year and then have them unlock it or purchase a used phone i was able to use an old lg 101 from pay-lo and a samung galaxy Ring (sph-840) both virgin mobile prepaid, with out any hassle.Screenshot_20160929-112728.png
 
Upvote 0
as you can see ring plus works with any type of phones/carrier.
Ring Plus uses the CDMA Sprint network, which is more restrictive then GSM (AT&T/T-Mobile). Even though it lists other carriers they're limited to using Sprint phones and a few exceptions like some Nexus and iPhones. From this Ring Plus promo post:
1.png


i was able to use an old lg 101 from pay-lo and a samung galaxy Ring (sph-840) both virgin mobile prepaid
Both phones activated because Virgin Mobile is also a Sprint MVNO.

Another thing to ponder is that the IMEI Numbers you ate running havent been activated by being purchased i dont mean activated like activated with the carrier, but activated period. The IMEI itself hasnt been activated so technically it doesnt exist yet and no one will be able to activate it. Please sineobe correct me if i am wrong in this statement.
The IMEI number is already in the database even before purchase. Sprints current policy is that prepaid/MVNO phones have to be used on their MVNO for a year before being allowed to be moved to a different carrier.

Verizon use GSM.
Verizon is CDMA.
 
Upvote 0

BEST TECH IN 2023

We've been tracking upcoming products and ranking the best tech since 2007. Thanks for trusting our opinion: we get rewarded through affiliate links that earn us a commission and we invite you to learn more about us.

Smartphones