Used phone for Virgin or possibly Boost

[angelgabbby]

Hey everybody, here we go with another "which phone" question. Heres my story & requirements. I currently have Cricket w/a new Zte x500 Score. I am right at the edge of Crickets service, so I basically have no service most of the time. The end of next week I am switching to Virgin or possibly Boost &going to get a different phone (but due to finances, a used one). I would like some opinions on what phone I should keep an eye out for.
Phone doesnt have to be Virgin or Boost because I dont mind flashing it. I have a Zte Score & a Sprint Intercept, but I dont think I popular opinion would be to bother flashing &using either of them(plus they have so little internal). Heres what i want.
REQUIREMENTS: Used has to be UNDER $100; Must have internal memory(1gig is fine); Flash-capable(tired of not able to use/watch several things do to my Score not able to have flash); able to Tether(which i think all android can)
PREFERANCES: like real qwerty, but as long as screen is sensible size not required; Wi-fi Hotspot; Decent battery.

Any suggestions???

 

[jerofld]

I don't have a suggestion for a phone, but the carrier.

Cricket, Boost, and Virgin mobile are all Sprint-owned. If you have bad service with one, you'll likely have bad service with all. Some people have said that they get better service with a Sprint PRL, but that's a grey area if it actually works or if it's legit or not. Check your device sub-forum for info.

http://androidforums.com/zte-score/

 

[Unforgiven]

If you are looking for a used device, you may want to check here (Classifieds - Android Forums).

 

[hiwatt]

I don't have a suggestion for a phone, but the carrier.

Cricket, Boost, and Virgin mobile are all Sprint-owned. If you have bad service with one, you'll likely have bad service with all. Some people have said that they get better service with a Sprint PRL, but that's a grey area if it actually works or if it's legit or not. Check your device sub-forum for info.

ZTE Score - Android Forums

Cricket isn't owned by Sprint. Cricket is Leap Wireless.

 

[jerofld]

Cricket isn't owned by Sprint. Cricket is Leap Wireless.

True enough, but Cricket uses Sprint's towers, so it's unlikely that coverage would change by switching from Cricket to Virgin or Boost.

 

[SprintTechJosh]

True enough, but Cricket uses Sprint's towers, so it's unlikely that coverage would change by switching from Cricket to Virgin or Boost.

Exactly. I would do a little research. Whoever you end up thinking you want to go with, go to their web site and they should have a coverage map you can look at. Just punch in your address and you should be able to gauge what kind of service you'll receive.

 

[angelgabbby]

My brother has boost &my sisternlaw has virgin and they live next door, so I know I'll have better service I'm just tryna figure out which phones I might look for. I could go w/the intercept I was given, but I have heard ALOT of complaints about them and I don't think its uses adobe flash either. I have an opportunity to get a Prevail. I don't think they have much internal memory, but I think there may be a way to help that (possibly an rom upgrade). I just wondering if opinions are if its what i should go with or what other good choices I should consider.
Thanks for your input.