Looking for a cheap unlocked phone

[m_o]

Hi Everyone,

I am looking for a cheap unlocked phone that will be able to run WP8.1 when it is released. My iPhone 3GS just broke and I am looking for an upgrade that won't break the bank but will be good enough for me to enjoy using.

I don't mind purchasing used in good condition if it will get me a better phone for much less. If by any miracle the phone you want to recommend is also rugged/waterproof/lifeproof that would be awesome (but not necessary). Good battery life is important to me.

Let me know if this is in the wrong forum since I'm new here and wasn't sure where to post.
Here's to hoping I'll be joining the WP family soon,
m_o

 

[checkmate81x]

Lumia 520

 

[Microsoftjunkie]

What is your budget?

 

[m_o]

What is your budget?

I would ideally like to pay around $200-$300. Is that reasonable?

 

[Microsoftjunkie]

I would ideally like to pay around $200-$300. Is that reasonable?

That's more than enough.

Are you interested in an 8x? They're selling for 179. Its a world phone, meaning it works on all carriers (verizon/att/tmobile). It also has wireless charging.

Type in HTC 8x in the wpccentral app or websites for past articles. Wpcentral posted this a week or so ago and they're still selling these.

 

[m_o]

That's more than enough.

Are you interested in an 8x? They're selling for 179. Its a world phone, meaning it works on all carriers (verizon/att/tmobile). It also has wireless charging.

That looks good and amazingly cheap. (How is it that cheap?) How is the battery life? Will it upgrade to 8.1?

I also want to make sure it will work on my carrier. Are there multiple versions of the phone for different networks (similar to the iPhone) or just one? Since The Verge seems to think it doesn't support 2100Mhz but the site selling it and HTC say it does.

For the record here are my network's specs:

3G: 2100 MHz on native network
2G: 1800 Mhz 3G: 850/2100 MHz HSDPA when roaming on supported networks that extend coverage (no cost to me)

 

[Microsoftjunkie]

They might be refurbished, but here are the links.

http://www.dealfisher.com/product/HTC-8X-Verizon-16GB-unlocked.html

http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/103...-phone-8x-unlocked-gsm-smartphone-refurbished

 

[m_o]

They might be refurbished

Anyone know if they replace the battery when refurbishing?

 

[Microsoftjunkie]

Anyone know if they replace the battery when refurbishing?

Go to the website and contact the company and or shipper. Its on the page. They should know or at least that's where you can start.

 

[m_o]

Go to the website and contact the company and or shipper. Its on the page. They should know or at least that's where you can start.

Good idea.

One problem though, it seems that the Verizon version has a hardcoded MMS setting that can't be changed even when unlocked. Do you have any other device recommendations?

Also, how much can carriers and device manufacturers change WP? I thought not at all but the Verizon MMS issue would seem to indicate they can.