Best place to buy phones for ST?

[artbytes]

We are thinking of moving to Straight Talk. Do you all have good ideas of good places to buy phones for use on Straight Talk? The full price of the phones listed on cell phone sites seems really inflated to me. Thanks.

 

[Rukbat]

It depends on the carrier. (ST is a virtual network operator, not a carrier.) If you want AT&T or TMobile, the best LEGITIMATE deal you can find. (Chinese "clones" that are "clones" of phones with much less capability - and zero tech support - aren't bargains. Neither are European phones that don't have he radios needed for high speed data in the US.)

If it's Verizon, any Verizon phone that will pass the test at Straight Talk Compatibility Tracfone: BYOP For Sprint, Walmart or Straight Talk. I don't think they do BYOP with Sprint yet.

BTW, don't compare he "full prices" you see for the phones with the prices the carriers charge for the same phone. If you're paying the carrier $50/month more for service on a 2 year contract, you're paying $1,200 more for the phone. No legitimate, major manufacturer's top of the line phone sells for $400. You pay for the phone by buying it (most of the world does it that way) or you pay the subsidized price and pay for the phone by the month because your bill is so much higher. That's why ST charges you $45 for what the carriers charge you $95 or more for.

In cellphones, your first choice should always be the carrier - which one has the best coverage where you need coverage. A great phone with a carrier that doesn't have service where your house is located isn't worth much to you.

 

[new optimus]

We are thinking of moving to Straight Talk. Do you all have good ideas of good places to buy phones for use on Straight Talk? The full price of the phones listed on cell phone sites seems really inflated to me. Thanks.

It depends on the carrier. (ST is a virtual network operator, not a carrier.) If you want AT&T or TMobile, the best LEGITIMATE deal you can find. (Chinese "clones" that are "clones" of phones with much less capability - and zero tech support - aren't bargains. Neither are European phones that don't have he radios needed for high speed data in the US.)

If it's Verizon, any Verizon phone that will pass the test at Straight Talk Compatibility Tracfone: BYOP For Sprint, Walmart or Straight Talk. I don't think they do BYOP with Sprint yet.

BTW, don't compare he "full prices" you see for the phones with the prices the carriers charge for the same phone. If you're paying the carrier $50/month more for service on a 2 year contract, you're paying $1,200 more for the phone. No legitimate, major manufacturer's top of the line phone sells for $400. You pay for the phone by buying it (most of the world does it that way) or you pay the subsidized price and pay for the phone by the month because your bill is so much higher. That's why ST charges you $45 for what the carriers charge you $95 or more for.

In cellphones, your first choice should always be the carrier - which one has the best coverage where you need coverage. A great phone with a carrier that doesn't have service where your house is located isn't worth much to you.

This is great information, but let me also say this, it looks like you already have a att phone which if you dont mind reusing it you can get straight talk att sim and have basically the same service you have now. If you want to change because att in your area is no good then you will want to look into what carrier is good.
You can also buy many used phones just be careful they are legit deals. If buying locally meet at the carriers store and check the imei with the store. or use swappa the imei is supposed to be checked prior to sale so your safer.

 

[jefboyardee]

I just ordered mine off their website.