Android! I can replace the battery on my Note 4, upgrade the memory with a Micro SD card. If I want to, add music or movies or any type of files. I can do it from ANY computer and doesn't require the use of Itunes to transfer. I can use Skype or other app to Video chat or Imessage.

 

I love all that freedom android offers. I've had a couple of them, unfortunately they both bricked in the 1-2 yr range. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Samsung though if going that route.
Old iPhone 4 and ipad2 still running strong after 3yrs never a problem. I will admit I hate iTunes and all that goes with it, but the positives out way it.

 

Agreed… Cricket is also a good choice.

 

How do you find the coverage? That was always my concern about those kinds of carriers. I figured that, in order to offer that price, they severely limited the main coverage areas.

 

Samsung used to have that. Now they are like Apple with no SD and non-replaceable battery.

 

What phone did you get for $150? I would want a quality smartphone with good battery life.

 

Cricket is owned by AT&T. Other than a few places that AT&T would roam on another carrier your coverage will be exactly the same as AT&T.

I've had T-Mobile for years and must say as of late their coverage has gotten considerably stronger. Obviously each carrier has their stronger and weaker markets but I find them fantastic almost everywhere I am. Additionally coverage in Canada and Mexico is included at no cost and most plans feature unlimited music streaming and unlimited video streaming. Neither of those count against your data bundle. Additionally you get 5-7GB of hotspot data and and aircraft with Gogo inflight internet you can text for free in the air. I use the hotspot instead of the hotel internet because it's usually a lot faster, I'm using it right now. Also you can use any wifi calling anywhere in the world and it's like being on their native network. I travel a lot internationally and they include throttled 2G free data, 20 cents/per minute, and free text roaming in 120+ countries. They'll even send you a free LTE micro cell spot for your home if you don't have great signal there. Basically a mini tower in your own home.

I've flown with plenty of people who were surprised when I whip out my phone internationally and use it just like I was at home, meanwhile they're keeping their phones off so they don't get screwed by roaming charges.

There is a reason they are adding more than 8 million people a year, it's not the T-Mobile of old.

YMMV

 

Although it's a bit more expensive than $150. Last year's Google flagship device the Nexus 6 can be bought outright on amazon for $250.

http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-Unloc...ywords=nexus+6

It's a used phone but comes with a factory warranty and is still among the best specd phones available. Since it's a "Google" phone it gets the latest updates first, and doesn't have any of the carrier or manufacturer bloat wear that often gets added by the respective android phone manufacturer(Samsung, HTC, etc) add before they push the new updates. It's "vanilla" android.

I've had it since it first came out and love it. Still just as fast as anything out there.