who from you has a free cell phone ?

[bwh1]

I made a post in the T-mobile section, maybe the wrong place.

I wanted to know from US clients why someone is going for the Free Mobile phones you can get all over, or why NOT.

I'm living abroad and just would like to know what's the biggest pros and contras for those free cell phone offers.

Here in Brazil we have only very basic cell phones totally Free, more sophisticated like in the US are all paid (with discounts for longer contracts, but not for Free).

I appreciate very much your feedback and believe that this as well can help me to build my Website the way the customers do want it.

Thank you all in advance
G.

[PortPowerKS]

It's pretty much like you put it.. The cheaper the phone, the more simple it is.

The phones that are given for free are basic at best. More like a dialtone, power button, keypad, screen and that's it. For those that aren't tech savvy, don't have a lot of cash, or just need the barebones mobile service, the free phones are a good choice. Tech junkies like myself want mobiles with "meat on them bones", feature-wise. Of course, the more bells and whistles, the more money you're gonna have to cough up.

[bwh1]

Originally Posted by PortPowerKS

It's pretty much like you put it.. The cheaper the phone, the more simple it is.

The phones that are given for free are basic at best. More like a dialtone, power button, keypad, screen and that's it. For those that aren't tech savvy, don't have a lot of cash, or just need the barebones mobile service, the free phones are a good choice. Tech junkies like myself want mobiles with "meat on them bones", feature-wise. Of course, the more bells and whistles, the more money you're gonna have to cough up.

Hey Man, great to have your answer here, I really appreciate any help I can get to "understand" the US phone market better.

So you say that the tech freaks won't find a good free phone.

I would like to ask you one more favor.
Can you just check out for a sec those phones here at my site
Welcome to Guido Mueller, tmi-verizon.com! (there are about 6 phones displayed)
and tell me if they are considerate basic, medium or advanced models for the US market and in your point of view.

You really do me a great favor with this, thanks a lot.
G.

[PortPowerKS]

A lot of the flip phones are low to mid range, at least in my opinion. I've seen a lot of people with RAZR's but throughout the Wireless Industry folks, they've been known to be flimsy and buggy. Some people like the RAZR cos it "looks pretty", etc. Smartphones such as the Blackberry and Motorola Q (and my T-Mobile Dash) are higher end because they have more capabilities. T-Mobile Wing is Mid to upper, depending on your techiness, since it uses WinMo (Windows Mobile). I'm sure like in Brazil, folks will either need a cell phone so they can be connected anywhere without a landline, so they can text with friends, so they can listen to music, etc.Others, like me, are geeked at birth and electronic stores are to us like 24-hour pharmacies are to Amy Winehouse.. lol

One thing to remember, the US is about a year or so behind the times, when it comes to technology. We've barely got a couple providers with 3G and EV-DO, and can just now begin to order pizza, make bank transactions, and watch TV through our phones; whereas people in Asia, Australia, and Europe have been doing that AND more for a few years. What is brand spanking new here in the States could already be several months to a year old in other countries.

You can partially thank the US Government for that because of the process of accepting phones that can be used, but part of that also belongs to the mobile manufacturers and service providers. The manufacturers play a role in which phones become available where in the world.. If it were a perfect world, a lot of the hot phones from Europe and Asia would already be available here in the US, but unfortunately that isn't the case.

[xboxundone]

free phones are great if all you want is a phone if you want to do more most likely you will have to pony up some dough.