Best Android Phone for Sprint

[fusedpro]

Hello everyone,

I am completely unaware of the current phone market, so please bear with me.

I am looking for a new phone and would like to stay with my current provider, Sprint, since they have unlimited data. Switching to Verizon is a no-go unless you know of way to get unlimited data and save my money (currently on a family plan with a few discounts as well). I would also like to have Android as the phone's OS, preferably Jellybean. Given that, what would be my best bet? Is there anything coming out in the near future that is worth waiting for?

I'm not sure about available plans, but I probably wouldn't need unlimited texting as I was hoping to just go through Google Voice to save some money.

If it's any consolation, my current phone is a Samsung Rant, so an upgrade is probably due.

Anyways, anyone have any thoughts on the matter?

Thanks!

 

[Chiropteran]

If you want Jelly Bean and future upgrades, I'd go with a google galaxy nexus.

 

[hellfire88]

If you want Jelly Bean and future upgrades, I'd go with a google galaxy nexus.

Agreed, if you want fastest upgrades to latest/greatest Android software, I would get Galaxy Nexus. Its not an official member of AOSP ("Android Open Source Project" I think it stands for) but the Verizon Galaxy Nexus LTE is, and those 3rd-party smart hackers can probably reverse engineer Verizon Galaxy Nexus official ROMs to work on the Sprint Galaxy Nexus. Just some immediate caveats/cons I can see with the Galaxy Nexus for your consideration:

- Hardware specs (CPU, etc.) isn't "absolute cutting edge" (but still quite great comparatively with other "superphones").
- 32GB memory not upgradable (no memory card slot)
- 5MP back camera isn't that great compared to other "superphones"


If you want latest/greatest cutting-edge hardware:

- Samsung Galaxy S3
- HTC EVO 4G LTE (Sprint version of HTC One X which IMHO is better than regular One X since it has microSD card slot for expandable memory)

 

[AstroManLuca]

With Sprint there's no reason to use Google Voice for texting since all their data plans include unlimited texting already. I would recommend using Google Voice for voicemail though.

You have three main options. The HTC Evo LTE, Samsung Galaxy S III, and Samsung Galaxy Nexus. The Evo LTE and Galaxy S III are both high end flagship phones with similar hardware. The Galaxy Nexus is a little bit older (but still powerful) and it already has Jelly Bean and will get Android OS updates faster than the other two.

One thing about the Evo LTE is its screen has an RGB matrix instead of the PenTile matrix used by both the Galaxy S III and Galaxy Nexus. Some people don't care, others do. You might want to look at them side by side in a store. Also, the Evo and GS3 have manufacturer skins while the Nexus runs stock Android.

They're all outstanding phones and I would recommend any of them. You might just want to look at them in a store and see which one looks and feels the best.

Another thing to consider is that Sprint charges a lot more than outside retailers for phones. If you buy any of these phones from Sprint, it'll cost you $150-$200 with a contract renewal. Amazon Wireless has the same phones for $80 (Nexus), $130 (Evo), and $150 (GS3). The only catch is if you buy from Amazon, you can't downgrade or cancel your plan in the first six months or they'll charge you a fee. But that's not a huge deal IMO if you're signing a contract anyway.

 

[you2]

I would seriously consier the EVO LTE (though I hate sealed batteries) or the galaxy S3. While the nexus has the 'google experience' it has a lot of other issues that are not forgiveable (display that scratches easily, bad reception, power hungry processor, ...)
-
I really liked the evo's screen but really dislike the sealed battery.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Sealed battery is a small disadvantage compared with no expandable storage though. I'm glad the Evo LTE at least has an SD card slot; 16 GB of built-in storage with no expansion on the One X is unforgivable.

I have a Verizon GNex and while I'd prefer an SD slot at least it has a useful amount of space (32 GB, same as the Sprint model).

 

[s44]

Given the fact that CM9 dailies are out for the S3 already, I'd expect unofficial Jelly Bean sooner rather than later.

The real question for you is: what's the LTE plan for your city? If it's not happening this quarter or next, you might be better off with a secondhand Epic Touch (which, btw, has official ICS and should have unofficial JB relatively simply) for WiMax speeds. You really don't want to be stuck on 3G.

 

[hellfire88]

Given the fact that CM9 dailies are out for the S3 already, I'd expect unofficial Jelly Bean sooner rather than later.

The real question for you is: what's the LTE plan for your city? If it's not happening this quarter or next, you might be better off with a secondhand Epic Touch (which, btw, has official ICS and should have unofficial JB relatively simply) for WiMax speeds. You really don't want to be stuck on 3G.

Yea good call, Sprint 3G speeds are pretty abysmal.

 

[Knavish]

I'd vote for the EVO LTE due to its great display, lower power CPU (vs nexus), and expandable memory.....I got one myself. HTC has also provided an unlocker for the EVO LTE on http://htcdev.com/. I think this may void your warranty, though.

Perhaps this will be the last phone I get on a 2 year contract -- I still don't trust Tmobile's coverage, though that might just be due to my ignorance.

 

[Dulanic]

With Sprint there's no reason to use Google Voice for texting since all their data plans include unlimited texting already. I would recommend using Google Voice for voicemail though.

You have three main options. The HTC Evo LTE, Samsung Galaxy S III, and Samsung Galaxy Nexus. The Evo LTE and Galaxy S III are both high end flagship phones with similar hardware. The Galaxy Nexus is a little bit older (but still powerful) and it already has Jelly Bean and will get Android OS updates faster than the other two.

One thing about the Evo LTE is its screen has an RGB matrix instead of the PenTile matrix used by both the Galaxy S III and Galaxy Nexus. Some people don't care, others do. You might want to look at them side by side in a store. Also, the Evo and GS3 have manufacturer skins while the Nexus runs stock Android.

They're all outstanding phones and I would recommend any of them. You might just want to look at them in a store and see which one looks and feels the best.

Another thing to consider is that Sprint charges a lot more than outside retailers for phones. If you buy any of these phones from Sprint, it'll cost you $150-$200 with a contract renewal. Amazon Wireless has the same phones for $80 (Nexus), $130 (Evo), and $150 (GS3). The only catch is if you buy from Amazon, you can't downgrade or cancel your plan in the first six months or they'll charge you a fee. But that's not a huge deal IMO if you're signing a contract anyway.

^^^ Couldn't have said it any better. Still, go try them before making the decision.