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Basic phone with app capability?

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Does anyone know of any basic phones that allow you download apps onto the phone? I want to be able to use apps but I do not and will not pay for a data plan. I know at&t has some basic phones that allow you download apps. I currently have a prepaid plan...i think. We do not have a two year contract and are paying month to month.

Also I have heard that you can have a smartphone on Verizon and not be forced to have a data plan if you have a prepaid plan. Is that true?

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unknown

SerenaRay wrote:
Does anyone know of any basic phones that allow you download apps onto the phone? I want to be able to use apps but I do not and will not pay for a data plan. I know at&t has some basic phones that allow you download apps. I currently have a prepaid plan...i think. We do not have a two year contract and are paying month to month.
Also I have heard that you can have a smartphone on Verizon and not be forced to have a data plan if you have a prepaid plan. Is that true?

I don't believe there are any basic phones that have that ability. I know in the past "Mobile Web" was available as well as the ability to download ringtones (cost $$$) and you could set up email accounts but again mobile web cost $5 way back then.

Go to http://www.verizonwireless.com and look under pre paid and regular plans to see if pre pay has included unlimited data.

tikibar1

Depends on what you mean by wanting to use apps. As noted above, mobile web-enabled basic phones do have the capability of downloading apps, but there are very few apps available and most are games. There is a charge for the apps, and to download them requires data (and thus a data charge).

Any smartphone activated on Verizon's network requires a data plan. Basic and feature phones do not require a data plan on a post-pay Verizon account, but a number of feature phones require a data plan on a pre-pay plan.

SerenaRay

Have you heard anything about being able to have a smartphone without the data if you don't buy the phone from Verizon?

SerenaRay

I mean apps as in the app store.

tikibar1

As noted in the other post, if you activate a smartphone on Verizon's network, you are required to have a data plan.

tikibar1

No, basic phones cannot access apps in the smartphone app stores. They are limited to the few apps available through Verizon's media store.

SuzyQ

SerenaRay wrote:
I mean apps as in the app store.

If you want to download apps from the Google app store or Apple store without a data plan, your best option is to use a wifi-only tablet or iPad. It doesn't need a data plan from any carrier, you can download and connect whenever wifi is available, and a lot of the games and apps will work without wifi as well.

unknown

as stated by others no. A data plan is required. As also stated you could purchase a tablet like a Sony Android device or an Apple iPad. I use both without cellular and they are cheaper that way. I just received an email stating the Apple iPad mini is now $199.00 at Walmarts. I noted today online that Best Buy is selling them around the same price to get ready for the new ipads. bargains are out there.

unknown

First of all basic phones don't have the hardware to run the apps on the apps store. Second since basic phones don't have wi-fi how would you download and use the apps without a data plan? So sounds like you want a phone that can runs apps and use wi-fi which that is called a smartphone. It's funny how so many people claim they only want basic phones but then want smartphone features on them.

SerenaRay

I would like to point out that I never said I did not want a smartphone I do not want to pay for the data plan.

SuzyQ

SerenaRay wrote:
I would like to point out that I never said I did not want a smartphone I do not want to pay for the data plan.

Good luck with that.

In order to download apps, you need the ability to access data, either through wifi or the cellular network. There are no PHONES that I am aware of that allow downloads from the Google App store or the iPhone store without a data plan. There are TABLETS that are wifi only that WILL allow you to do this without a data plan.

unknown

So, the answer is NO. Get a WIFI tablet. The Nexus 7 is a great little tablet.

unknown

SerenaRay wrote:
I would like to point out that I never said I did not want a smartphone I do not want to pay for the data plan.

No you just want a basic phone with smartphone features.

Verizon has pre-paid smartphone plans with data included. $60 for 500 MB and $70 for 2 GB. Phones are on the low end side and are 3G only. But since you only wanted a basic phone anyway they certainly would be better than any basic phone you can get.

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