Least expensive phone with Android OS?

[NoviceX]

I'm looking for a Verizon phone that I can afford to buy without the contract. Can someone either list for me the phones that use the Android OS or tell me the least/less expensive ones? I've been having trouble finding this information.

I was at the Verizon store today and liked the Motorola Citrus. I didn't realize until I looked it up later that it was released just yesterday. Any info on this phone? Are there even less expensive phones?

Also, do all android phones have google maps/gps? Can the google browser be used with all of them?

 

[lunatic59]

It looks like the Citrus and the LG Ally are the least expensive Android phones available at Verizon right now at around $50 U.S. with a contract. They are on the lower end of the spectrum for "smartphones" and my not be upgraded to future versions of Android. Just a consideration. Of course, there's no guarantee that even the top-of-the-line models will be upgraded.

As far as I know all Android Phones can *get* Google Maps which includes Navigation, but this particular phone comes preinstalled with Bing as its default search and map provider. You have to get Google maps from the market. It won't be on your phone when you first get it. It also says that it is VZ Navigator capable, meaning you'll have to pay for the service if you want it. AT&T does the same thing with it's lame navigator service.

FYI, Amazon has a deal this weekend for Verizon phones for $.01

http://wireless.amazon.com/b/684177011/ref=topnav_br_ph?ie=UTF8&class=link

You could get the Droid II or the Incredible for a penny with a new contract. Upgrades are a little more, but still pretty darn cheap.

 

[NoviceX]

On other Android phones where Google is the default search engine, are their maps & navigation system pre-installed and free to use? I can't fully tell from what you wrote.

Thank you.

 

[OfTheDamned]

If you are buying without a contract then you could get just about anything really. Check out the classified section of the forum. The phones will be used and most likely $100 and up, but anything you buy new at a Verizon store will cost more.


Even a phone does not come with Google Maps preinstalled it is available in the market as long as the OS is version 1.6 or higher. The browsers will be the same regardless of the phone having Bing as a search provider. As sacrilegious as it may be for me to say it, Bing really isn't that bad. Maps is free to use on all the phones.

BTW, you will have to get a data plan through Verizon no matter where you get the phone from. Otherwise most of the features won't work.

 

[lunatic59]

On other Android phones where Google is the default search engine, are their maps & navigation system pre-installed and free to use? I can't fully tell from what you wrote.

Thank you.

Lemme' 'splain Lucy* ...

Whether or not Google is the default search engine, you can still use Google, it just won't be automatic when search is called from other apps. You can put a Google Widget on your desktop an "Google" stuff all day long as long as you have a data connection. And yes, as long as you have access to data, maps and navigation are free to use.

Of course, if you are using navigation, you'll need access to mobile data or buy a different nav program that stores the maps on the phone and only uses the GPS coordinates to pinpoint your location.