Looking for an unlocked smartphone, need help/suggestions

JamezC

Estimable
Jun 15, 2014
1
0
4,510
So, I have an old Lg Thrive prepaid at&t go phone which is severely outdated at this point and I've been looking to upgrade to something better. Now, I like the go phone plans and the service just fine, I'm just looking for an unlocked smartphone that will work on at&t prepaid plans.

Here's a small list of the phones that I've looked at and that I'm interested in (but I'll take other suggestions as well) as well as links:

Motorola E: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K0NRVNG/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1ZQW37OCCTTP5&coliid=IICZE5VGBEK7V&psc=1

Sony Xperia: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BNR5AWM/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1ZQW37OCCTTP5&coliid=IVMN46BOZGMJC&psc=1

HTC Vivid: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006W95VHU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1ZQW37OCCTTP5&coliid=I2YBAG1KI11LX2

Also, would any of these work with my old 3G SIM card?
 
If they are unlocked they should accept any Sim depending on the type of unlock. If the phone is global then it will accept any sim, If it is international then it is limited to most countries but don't know which ones, if it is region based then only for the current region. Assuming your going for a budget phone the Moto E is probably the best depending on what you do with it.
 

Noprompt

Estimable
Jun 12, 2014
12
0
4,570
Hi,

From the products you listed I would go for the HTC Vivid, though the Moto E could be a possibility. Also, you can check the Lenovo A889 (now Motorola is owned by Lenovo) and see what do you think. It seems that all of the models you listed come unlocked, but to make sure about it you can send a previous message to the seller so you have a confirmation. I've did that, and if the seller don't respond me on time I just choose another supplier.

Good luck
 

techtechie

Estimable
Jul 9, 2014
13
0
4,570


me, personally id spring for a moto x, it has the nano sim but the provider should switch it for you at $10 max but ive heard from an att rep that they do it for free. also lenovo hasnt yet taken over motorola yet
 

Noprompt

Estimable
Jun 12, 2014
12
0
4,570


Definitively Moto X has more quality than the models mentioned before, but it costs almost three times more. I guess the OP is around that budget... that's why I recommended a good low-end device. About the SIM card size, there won't be any problem if one buy a SIM cutter (less than 10$ in Amazon). By the way, what do you mean by "Lenovo hasn´t yet taken over Motorola... I thought the brand was already in hands of Lenovo, I even have read that Moto E was the first device released on Lenovo's hands..
Regards
 

techtechie

Estimable
Jul 9, 2014
13
0
4,570


i read that the transition from google to lenovo was to be eased into a 3 year plan. a quote from this (http://news.lenovo.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=1768) article:
Google will maintain ownership of the vast majority of the Motorola Mobility patent portfolio, including current patent applications and invention disclosures. As part of its ongoing relationship with Google, Lenovo will receive a license to this rich portfolio of patents and other intellectual property. Additionally Lenovo will receive over 2,000 patent assets, as well as the Motorola Mobility brand and trademark portfolio.
 

Noprompt

Estimable
Jun 12, 2014
12
0
4,570

Reliable source indeed, thanks for sharing! Then I guess Motorola will be completely in Lenovo's hands on January 2017....