Chloe and I have both been shopping for a new phone since this summer, and I’m shopping for less expensive phone plans for me, Chloe, and my son. My son is always begging me to try Windows operating systems and being desperate for a new phone, when AT&T contacted me about trying their service and one of their phones, I was more than happy to try both. I’ve been thinking about finding new phone plans for a while, but switching carriers is sort of like moving to a new home: you don’t know what you have until you’re in it and the devil is in the details. And I’m such a stickler for details that I just stay and stay and stay. But a chance to try it before you buy it… well, why not!?
I unpacked my AT&T GoPhone-compatible HTC Desire 610, GoPhone card, and a SIM Kit with unlimited talk, text and 2.5 GB of data for the month and proceeded to set-up my phone, and quickly unlearned all my preconceived notions about pre-paid phones.
Misconception 1: this was not a cheap disposable phone! My phone was a super-nice smartphone. So nice, I’d often find my son on it. I found that it was easy to get through the set-up once I followed the instructions on the website. Unfortunately, the instructions on the phone left me hanging. I entered my Google+ account when prompted and my entire Google history was connected. I played around on my phone and realized that being an Apple girl through and through left me with a steep learning curve, so I didn’t think I’d be using my new phone for much more than, well, phone calls.
Misconception 2: I thought I’d use the phone for phone calls, and that would be it. A quick trip to New York opened my eyes to new possibilities. Somehow, and I’m a little frightened to figure out how, my phone knew my hotel. So instead of having to search for the hotel email and find the address and cross streets, etc., all the information was instantly on my phone as soon as I turned it on when we landed in NYC. Being the forgetful type, having the address always on my phone came in handy often during the weekend.
Misconception 3: Prepaid phones wouldn’t have apps. My phone came preloaded with awesome apps and I could download tons more. I was able to use Google Maps so easily on this phone. My memory is always full on my iPhone, even when I buy more, so my maps don’t work which has frustrated the heck out of me since I don’t yet know my way around Denver and my maps typically get me 1/4 of the way to where I need to be. However, they worked like a charm on my HTC Desire 610. I love the coupon app loaded on the phone, since I never have coupons when I need them but always have my phone, and I’d use the AT&T DriveMode with my kids (I found it interfered with Google Maps).
All in all, I loved the phone I was provided, the service was exceptional and the photography was pretty good too. The biggest appeal was that there was never a dropped call & never a problem with establishing service. As I’ve said, I’m not sure I was the best person to put a non-Apple phone to the test since I haven’t used anything since Apple products since, uh, forever. But using this phone showed me there’s a whole ‘nother world out there and my son is right: Apple isn’t always the best. (case in point: iOS 8 + #Bendgate) But, if Apple fixes everything, I do like that I can insert the SIM card into any phone, because that learning curve was awful steep.
All in all, will I switch to AT&T GoPhone: maybe. Will we switch to our phone plans to AT&T: very high possibility. I’m looking into plans for the family. I like that I can just put the SIM card in any phone and be on the AT&T plan with NO contract! I’m a commitment-phone. I also like that the rate plans are flexible, and most have unlimited texting - if somebody is on vacation or traveling, I can up the amount. If we are all home, I can lower the amount. You can view rate plans here.
What plans / phones are you using or do you recommend?
xo ~kim
