I lost my phone. I know, I’m officially a stereotypical debt blogger. It’s been just over a week since my precious BlackBerry went missing. Besides the significant inconveniences associated with losing my cellphone, I’ve been a bit overwhelmed by all of the replacement options. When it comes to major purchases, decision-making has never been a strength of mine. While I have no problem spending my money in small chunks throughout the month, I am intimidated by the required commitment to a product that a large-scale purchase entails. (Commitment-phobia is one of my defining personality traits.) I know for many people a new phone isn’t large-scale, but I am paying off my debt right now, and a phone is a relatively huge expense. I want something that will fit my needs but obviously can’t get derailed blowing a huge amount of money.
My choices are immediately limited by my cell plan. I am with Koodo, and I won’t even consider switching providers because I spend $30 per month on the best smartphone plan for my usage. This means I will end up paying more for the phone because I don’t have the “benefit” of choosing a contract that comes with a free phone.
Thanks to my new habit of saving, I could buy even the most expensive phone on offer (iPhone 5, $592) but, again, I need to balance costs with finding a phone that will last me a few years. I’m not looking at iPhone 5 at all. I’m actually a fan of iOS and iTunes, but I obviously can’t justify the cost. Even the iPhone 4s (which Koodo does not carry) is out of my price range. I don’t mind paying a bit more for quality, but the iPhone is comparable to many other devices on the market that have a lower price-tag.
I’m also avoiding Windows phones. Honestly, this is just out of sheer ignorance. I’ve never used a Windows phone, and I’m not comfortable putting my money into a product that doesn’t have a strong industry foothold.
This narrows it down to two options: BlackBerry or Android.
I’ve been a BlackBerry girl for years. I never cared that hipsters made fun of me: my phone was a tool, not a toy. It was durable and lasted (until I lost it). It seems like my BlackBerry has been in my life forever. Because I loved my BlackBerry so much, I am inclined to stick with the brand. The data-compression alone is a huge benefit in BlackBerry’s favour. BlackBerry has always been known for its data encryption, but recent models have also featured best-in-class anti-theft features and encryption. Koodo does make this decision tough, however. The only BlackBerry phones they offer are the lowest end (Curve models) or the highest end: the new Z10. I’m not particularly interested in paying $122 for the Curve 9360. The Z10 is so beautiful that I’m inclined to write a sonnet about it, however its price tag is $472. Is $472 too much to pay for the dream phone? My heart says no. But my head says yes.
The other option for getting my hands on a BlackBerry is Kijiji. The Bold 9900 is listed several times in my area for around $200. (Editor Joe’s Note: GET IT. I love my 9900. Just make sure to test it first, check the inside for damage, etc. before paying!) This is a great price, and prior to the Z10 being announced, the 9900 was the model I always planned on upgrading to. Why Koodo doesn’t offer the 9900, or even the 9790 is beyond me, considering they are now offering the newest BlackBerry and iPhones. Dangit Koodo! There is no perfect solution! The reason that I don’t jump immediately on purchasing the 9900 comes down to a few factors. I don’t like that BlackBerry doesn’t offer upgrades to the new operating system on its older phones. Both iOS and Android do, and this allows users to access cool software features they otherwise would have had to buy a new phone to enjoy. I’m assuming the no-upgrade on the BlackBerry is due to hardware limitations (or RIM’s infamously excessive cautiousness), but it hurts to think I would pay $200 for a phone that isn’t running the latest software, especially considering I plan on having my phone for years and don’t want to underperform because of outdated software. Remember that I’m actively earning extra income! I need to stay on top of those gigs.
The other reason I’m hesitant to buy the Bold is that I’ve gotten a taste of Android — and, so far, I like it. I am currently borrowing an INQ Cloud Touch that runs Gingerbread. The phone itself is not for me; it was clearly designed as a Facebook phone for teenagers. The sensors are slow and the touchscreen response is terrible. I am liking Android, however. I’ve found a bunch of cool apps and games for free, and I love the built-in Google search feature on the homepage. It’s also very cool to be able to customize the layout of the phone and the keyboard. If I do go Android I’m thinking of the Samsung Galaxy SII X (which can be upgraded to run Jellybean) for $222.
My choice comes down to the 9900 or the SII X. As much as I lust after the Z10, I can’t afford it. Of course, I can’t actually afford any of them right now considering the fact that my budget it fairly tight. My plan to get the money without digging into my savings will involve selling some of my stuff on the internet. This isn’t as dramatic as it sounds — I was planning to do this anyway since the move, this is just kicking me into gear. A few of my textbooks should bring in decent money on Amazon and I’ve got some great fun reads that I will probably take to my local used bookstore. Kijiji is another possibility. The rest I can just save up from what was once my cigarette fund, because I have officially kicked the habit (9 days smoke-free!) and am therefore $30 richer (or less poor?) each week.
I’m leaning toward BlackBerry but, since this is a stereotypical debt blogger post, I’m obliged to ask a bolded question at the end:
What’s your pick? BlackBerry or Android?
You’re overanalyzing this. First, with Koodo it’s not that the don’t pay for your phones – it’s that you get to buy your own darn phone (as noted, on Kijiji) at your own best price, and then run it on Koodo. You have the world of choice, without locking into a contract.
Secondly, you don’t seem to be struggling with a personal finance decision here, you seem to be trying to justify buying a coach purse. If you want a blackberry, go get a curve. They’re $50-$100 on Kijiji all day long. Heck, I just *gave* one away. If you can’t afford that, ask around and see if anyone you know has an old blackberry that they’ve upgraded. We frequently have perfectly good phones around because one of the kids with too much money decided there’s some difference between an iphone 4 and a 5.
As for the android, if that’s what you want, just scale back and buy something used on kijiji. THere are previous incarnations of the Galaxy that are functionally identical to the new ones – that’s right, way cheap, work exactly the same. My son has a Galaxy, I have a something prior to a galaxy, and his phone does exactly *nothing* better than mine.
This is definitely a case of, of you can’t afford the ‘I want’s', there are perfectly acceptable and affordable alternatives. Stop treating it like a fashion accessory.
^What he said. But nicer.
I can see where you guys are coming from, and I certainly don’t need top-of-the-line. That’s why the very pretty Z10 was crossed off the list (as well as the Galaxy SIII). I do have to say, however, that a cell phone is not a fashion accessory, it is a tool that you use for years and therefore needs more consideration than a purse.
The reason I don’t go for the Curve is very practical: I have big hands and the Curve has a small keyboard. I do a lot of typing on my phone and the larger format of the Bold is more comfortable.
Though it may not seem like it, software and hardware are important considerations. If app developers move away from the platform you are using the phone becomes obsolete a lot quicker. If your hardware can’t handle software updates then your phone starts to crash. If you are making a purchase of electronic equipment that you hope will last 5 years, why wouldn’t you want something that will be useful, if not competitive, in that time?
I’ve got no problem buying used, and if I see something that meets my needs and costs less I will jump on it, but I won’t sacrifice on quality. When it comes to cellphones and computers you absolutely get what you pay for.
That being said, if you ever hear me whining about buying a new purse, tv, or snow mobile I won’t say a peep when you tear me to shreds.
There’s a lot of ‘if’s’ in there.
And I really think you’re deluding yourself with this statement:
>>I’ve got no problem buying used, and if I see something that meets my needs and costs less I will jump on it, but I won’t sacrifice on quality. When it comes to cellphones and computers you absolutely get what you pay for.
Quality? You get what you pay for?
You need to revise your actual requirements to “I need something that has buttons big enough to text, a GPS, and android so I can get at the marketplace”. Not stuff like ‘quality’ or hypothetical future proofing. THose other things are justifications for buying $500 phones – which is fine unless you’re on a budget, which you seem to be.
Buy on current function, and that’s it. As soon as you do that, buying a phone won’t be a problem.
My pick is Android, I switched over from a blackberry three years ago and don’t regret it in the least. I find that it has nore flexibity and a ton of apps available for it that the blackberry wasnt even close to offering (although that may have changed over the years).Have you considered a used phone? We’ve typically bought our phones on ebay and added protection to them (which will cost you less than buying it through your cell phone provider). Just make sure the seller guaranteed that the MEID/ESN is clear if you decide to go that route.,
Android is really attractive, and definitely offers more choice than Blackberry. I’ve been nervous about buying used because there won’t be a warranty, but what you said about protection has piqued my interest. Did you get some sort of hardware coverage through the manufacturer?
Hi Sara, the coverage I was referring to was for ebay purchases. The last phone I bought for my son had an option to purchase a replacement warranty through “Square Deal”. I took a look at ebay this morning and it looks like they are now offering coverage through “Square Deal” or through “Geek Squad”. If I remember correctly my son’s phone cost about $70 and the coverage was $25.00. It seems a bit expensive of you look at it relative to the price of the phone but if you compare it to paying your carrier $5 – $7 a month it’s actually a good deal. Hope this helps. Jose
Hmmmm, such a dilemma! My preference would be to invest in the new Blackberry. Why? Because it has a new platform which they plan to grow the business on. That means innovation and they will also be able to provide those updates you want. Anything else will be either an old Blackberry platform which may have limited appeal or moving away from the Blackberry and all the new and exciting possibilities it will provide in the future. That’s my 2 cents…..oops. For lack of any other option, I will round up. That’s my nickel!
The Z10 is beautiful, and I did think of everything you said here. It seems Blackberry 7 phones don’t have good enough processors to handle QNX and therefore won’t be updated. I just think it’s too much money. I have no problem paying for quality (see my comments above) but $500 is well beyond what I find to be an acceptable price for a phone.
How about the CPO phones they list, or something off an auction site? My wife and I recently both switched over to Ting. She got a refurbished LG, I brought over my Sprint Evo 4G – so, $83 for two Androids on a network where we pay between $48 and $60 a month. Is there a killer-app that you need to get on a newer phone, or could you handle an older one?
I can definitely handle an older phone. I just need something that is fast, reliable, comfortable to type on. I know Blackberry and iPhone really well but I am mostly unfamiliar with Android. I’ve worked for cellphone providers for years and heard many complaints about Androids, which make me nervous. I only gravitated towards Samsung because I rarely heard anything negative about it. I’m not jumping into this purchase, so I will definitely check out what HTC and LG have to offer.
If you just want to replace your phone with a similar phone, may I suggest you purchase a replacement simm card (should be no more then $20.00). Then hunt around (Factory direct has refurbed phones for example at reasonable prices?) for an unlocked phone that will work on your Koodo network. There are many little electronics shops around that can also unlock phones and code them to the phone companies networks. To me this is your cheapest way out…
Im in charge of 55 phones at my work, people drop them in toilets, run them over, or off a dock fishing. I have seen it all. That’s how I do a replacement cheaply and easily.
I lose my phone at least once a year, so for me $20 pay as you go dumb phones do the trick. In your case, Androids look pretty cool!
If Sara wasn’t making money freelancing (not just for me, but for other folks and actual organizations), and I didn’t greatly appreciate being able to send her emails, etc. for her immediate response, I would definitely tell her to go for a dumb phone, especially since she has debt. But as an anecdote, it’s much like the situation of a home renovator who is in debt but who loses his impact drill. The reality is that he needs that tool to generate additional revenue (and any temporary options like rentals would prove unduly expensive), so he should go buy a decent quality impact drill. Mind you, Sara is in a situation where a lower-end smartphone will do the trick. With that in mind, I recommend she go for a used (new model) BlackBerry Curve or a slightly-more-premium used model that will boost her productivity, e.g. the BB Bold 9900.
For the record, I am what you’d consider a motivated renovator. I have 2 drills, but neither is an impact drill – and yes, we’ve got CBU on the outside of our house. When I need to go through it, I just push hard with a normal drill then chisel out if I need to punch a bigger hole – bam! Workaround!
lol nice. I guess what matters is using the correct bit! And btw I was thinking of a “hammer drill” and confusing it with an impact driver.
The tax deductibility (as a business expense) helps a bit too, although it has more of an impact if you’re already paying high taxes. I overspend on phone technology a bit but if it helps bring in more income then it’s worth it.
I hear about people dropping their phones in toilets all the time! Can’t understand how that happens, lol. I was always worried about unlocking a phone because I know with iPhone you can brick your phone and end up with a pricey paper-weight. I’ve since been told this is rarely if ever a problem with Blackberry or Android phones. If I go outside Koodoo, I will probably buy a refurb and get it unlocked.
I bought a refurbished iPhone 4 for $369 + tax last December. Works wonderfully. I popped my Speakout Wireless sim card into it and pay a few bucks a month for basic phone service!
Loving the phone and loving the low rates!