Samsung Epic vs. HTC Shift vs. Droid 3 vs. Sprint vs. Verizon

[John Browning]

You guessed it, I'm a tech idiot. I need help picking my first smartphone and carrier.

I don't plan on doing much more than basic email, web searches and texting. I won't be a heavy app user. The thing I know I really want is a physical keyboard, other than that I'm clueless and open to suggestions.

I'm also considering dropping Verizon to Sprint since Sprint would have unlimited text and data for $80 and Verizon would be pegged at 2gb and unlimited text for $90. Coverage is an issue for me since I do drive up 80 to Reno once a month and do find myself out in the boondocks from time to time.

Any suggestions you can offer are appreciated. Thanks!

[bombadillo]

I have an HTC Evo on sprint if that says anything. If you work for a major corporation or somebody who may give discounts, I get a 23% discount on my plan and for my wife and I, we're on the "everything" plan which is self explanatory and we pay $115 per month for both phones. I have been happy with them all in all with the exception of their customer service lines which haven't had to be used too much.

[UBFRAGD]

Big fan of the EVO/Sprint unlimited, too bad that's off your list.

[BigBoyPinoy]

I have an HTC Evo on sprint if that says anything. If you work for a major corporation or somebody who may give discounts, I get a 23% discount on my plan and for my wife and I, we're on the "everything" plan which is self explanatory and we pay $115 per month for both phones. I have been happy with them all in all with the exception of their customer service lines which haven't had to be used too much.

Is that $115/mo total?

or additional

$20 for charge for smartphone

$14 for phone insurance

$10 for taxes

I'm at about $150-160/mo for unlimited everything for 2 Epics that's with my 23% discount.

Waiting to see who will come out first with the Galaxy S II and may switch, possibly to T-mobile with their new everything plan for $50, unfortunately they slow down your 4G after 2GB, but for $100 for 2 lines, that's a pretty great deal.

[hartref]

I have Sprint and an Evo. I think the Evo is an awesome phone.

[Esquire]

why not iPhone?

[bombadillo]

Is that $115/mo total?

or additional

$20 for charge for smartphone

$14 for phone insurance

$10 for taxes

I'm at about $150-160/mo for unlimited everything for 2 Epics that's with my 23% discount.

Waiting to see who will come out first with the Galaxy S II and may switch, possibly to T-mobile with their new everything plan for $50, unfortunately they slow down your 4G after 2GB, but for $100 for 2 lines, that's a pretty great deal.

Grand total $115 after everything. No more charges! When I pay my bill, its usually around 114-119 per month. It does fluctuate a couple dollars now and again but its been really good to me and really consistent lately.

[tools2teach]

I had all the carriers and Sprint works out for my wife and I with the everything plan. I had the epic and hated it. Get the HTC 3D, I just got the 3d and I love it. I thinks it's the best phone out there at the current time, but then again, I don't know any phones out there outside of sprint.

The battery life is excellent compare to the original EVO