Not Android user yet

[danestra]

I have a Blackberry Storm II and the way that company is faring I don't think it's going to be around much longer. In any case I have been tempted to switch to a smarter phone for a while now. I think Apple products are cute and innovative but I have always been an open systems kind of guy, so it's the Android platform that intrigues me. Here are my wants:
1. Unlocked no-contract phone (this is non-negotiable)
2. A well-made, durable phone under $300 (I can't seem to reconcile laptop prices for a handheld device, call me old fashioned, oh and I don't fidget with my phone all day as I work from home and have 2 laptops for most of my activities)
3. A recent Android OS. Even if it ships with an older OS, I want to be able to upgrade it to a more recent version. However, reading through some forums and articles, I can't afford to get it bricked as soon as I get it. I want something proven. I am tech savvy but in an ideal world I'd love to have a single document guiding me from Alpha to Omega without guessing or having to consult multiple other sources.

My wife and I both have the BB Storm and are fine with it. They are, however, getting a bit older and banged up and I'm proactively searching our next phones. Any good solid advice would be immensely appreciated.
:cheers:
Daniel

 

[Metroid Prime]

Hello and welcome to Android Forums, danestra.

Well with unlocked devices they are usually more expensive than regular phones on contract so it might be a little hard finding one under $300, but we'll help you find one. Are there any specific devices? like HTC or samsung?
I think the risk of a bricked phone is very slim and even slimmer as long as you don't try to root it.

 

[KENNECTED]

I have a Blackberry Storm II and the way that company is faring I don't think it's going to be around much longer. In any case I have been tempted to switch to a smarter phone for a while now. I think Apple products are cute and innovative but I have always been an open systems kind of guy, so it's the Android platform that intrigues me. Here are my wants:
1. Unlocked no-contract phone (this is non-negotiable)
2. A well-made, durable phone under $300 (I can't seem to reconcile laptop prices for a handheld device, call me old fashioned, oh and I don't fidget with my phone all day as I work from home and have 2 laptops for most of my activities)
3. A recent Android OS. Even if it ships with an older OS, I want to be able to upgrade it to a more recent version. However, reading through some forums and articles, I can't afford to get it bricked as soon as I get it. I want something proven. I am tech savvy but in an ideal world I'd love to have a single document guiding me from Alpha to Omega without guessing or having to consult multiple other sources.

My wife and I both have the BB Storm and are fine with it. They are, however, getting a bit older and banged up and I'm proactively searching our next phones. Any good solid advice would be immensely appreciated.
:cheers:
Daniel

Welcome.

Take a look at Google Nexus Devices.

 

[chanchan05]

1. This is what makes it hard for number 2
2. Can't you stretch it to $350? You can get a Galaxy Nexus at that. Its not exactly high end anymore, but it does solve the updates issue on number 3, since it will get all updates that its hardware can support without need for risking the phone to get bricked because its a Nexus.
3. The cheaper the device, the more unlikely it is to get an update officially, and the more difficult it may be to get it rooted and flashed to a more recent ROM. Cheaper mid-range devices tend to have a smaller root community than the flagships. Of course this depends on more factors than just price though.

My advice, stretch your budget to $350, get the Galaxy Nexus unlocked, and you're practically set.

 

[fightnight909]

I was a Blackberry kind of guy for many years. I was gonna buy the new Blackberry Curve 9310 but I didn't because it is 3G and Youtube is very slow on it. So I just recently switched to Android and I'm loving it. Do not get an Iphone because they have a lot restrictions. For sure you are going to have to spend more than $300 if you want a good phone while it also updates to new version of the OS. I would go with the Galaxy Nexus like the member on top of me stated. You will love Android if you ever do switch because it will give you a lot of freedom.

 

[streetkilln]

id say wait till next year most android. phones next year will be quad core phones watch.

 

[rui-no-onna]

+1 on the Galaxy Nexus. Hmm, when are the new Nexii phones coming out? That might drop the price of the Nexus to $300. Regardless, it's really hard to beat for $350.

Hmm, a couple of phones to consider if the $300 is a hard limit are the Sony Xperia Sola ($270, 3.7") or Sony Xperia U ($235, 3.5"). Those are the only dual-core phones I know of with a promised ICS update that costs under $300.

 

[danestra]

Thanks everyone for the excellent advice. $300 is not a hard limit so I'll check-out some models hovering around that figure.