Android

LG Optimus V

Many people don’t like being locked into a cell phone service subscription plan. Often times they are very costly and it can be extremely difficult to get out of a contract with AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, or any of the other big mobile service providers. For that reason, lots of people are now buying “no-contract” cell phones which don’t require you to sign up for a long-term service obligation.

The best part is that many no-contract service providers now offer top-of-the-line Android smartphones. You can also find “unlocked” versions of many of the most popular Android devices. So there’s no reason you can’t have the best technology at your fingertips, even if you don’t subscribe to an expensive long-term service plan. And in many cases you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a great phone.

Some of the no-contract phones come with pay-as-you-go plans, where you only pay when you actually talk, receive or send texts, or use data/internet. You can also sign-up for monthly plans that have no contract. This means that you can pay for talk, text, and data for one month, but quit the service whenever you want to at no penalty.

The biggest downside to purchasing a no-contract phone is that you often have to pay full price for the cell phone itself, whereas two-year service contracts subsidize the cost of of the phone as an incentive to sign on the dotted line. The newest and best Android smartphones can be pretty expensive ($500 and up) if you don’t sign a contract, but there are some fantastic cheap Android devices that still provide a lot of bang for the buck.

If you don’t want to be restricted or overpay for cell phone service then buying a no-contract phone might be the right choice for you! Below is a list of the best no-contract Android phones out on the market right now…

1. Virgin Mobile LG Optimus V

The Virgin Mobile LG Optimus V runs on Android 2.2 and has 3G and Wi-Fi capabilities. It also has a 3.2″ touch screen and 3.2MP camera and camcorder. The price of the phone is only $150 but you find online deals on it for about $70. The LG Optimus V is surprisingly well built for an LG product. While the phone isn’t blazing fast, it does have a dedicated GPU and 512 MB of SDRAM which helps its 600MHz processor perform better than expected. Unfortunately, there have been many complaints about its short battery life. However, this phone is still great for the price, especially if you use Virgin Mobile’s no-contract monthly plan, which is only $25 for unlimited text, data, and 300 minutes of talk!

2. T-Mobile HTC Wildfire

The T-Mobile HTC Wildfire runs on Android 2.3 and on T-Mobile’s 3G network. It has a 3.2″ touch screen and a 5.0MP digital camera. The HTC Wildfire is priced at about $200 but it can be found for as low as $150 online. Since the Wildfire comes with Android 2.3, it runs very smoothly and has some of the best software features. However, many reviewers complain about the screen resolution and the difficulty of adapting to its keyboard. Overall though it’s a great deal for a no-contract phone that runs on of the most powerful versions of the Android operating system.

3. Boost Mobile Samsung Galaxy Prevail

The Boost Mobile Samsung Galaxy Prevail comes with Android 2.2. It has a 2.0MP camera and a 3.2″ touch display. This smartphone has a base price of $150 and has quickly become an extremely popular product in Boost’s smartphone lineup. Compared to other Android phones on the market, the Samsung Galaxy Prevail has an underpowered camera and is reported to freeze or lock-up occasionally. It also comes with a decent amount of bloatware. However, it is powerful enough to run your normal apps and has a very bright and responsive screen.

These phones are good for those that hate to be tied down to cell phone contracts. Furthermore, they’re easy to trade in or replace if you don’t like them or their service provider. I would strongly recommend an Android no-contact phone if you want a powerful smartphone at an affordable price!