For at least the past 2 years now, I’ve been trying to find a good cell phone that has WIFI capabilities, but does not require a data plan for a “reasonable” price. I really thought that this would not be difficult thing to accomplish. However, I still haven’t found this cell phone yet.
To give you some more insight as to why I’m searching for this device, here is some more information that I think would best explain why I’m looking for this functionality in particular: Many have asked me, “Why don’t you want the data plan?” Simple, data plans for cell phones are too expensive (in my opinion), and I’m too cheap to pay for it. A standard everything data plan costs approximately $30 / month for every major carrier that I have seen. That’s $360 per year. I spent less than that on the last desktop and laptop that I purchased (individually, not combined). $360 is probably my tech budget for entire year. As I said, I’m cheap…
Currently, I use Sprint and I have a $150 credit toward a new phone if I sign up to a new 2 year contract with them . So, I called them and asked them if they have a phone that has WIFI capabilities but does not require a data plan. This was my only requirement for a phone. They came back with only one phone, the Samsung Intrepid. The price tag after discounts and rebates, $150. I asked if they had one cheaper, and they said no. So, I called AT&T. According to the customer service rep, AT&T does not carry a phone with WIFI capabilities that does not require a data plan. I called Verizon and received the same answer. After some google searching to just make sure, I found that Verizon and AT&T both have an official stance on this, that they require a data plan for smartphone capable devices that they sell through the respective carriers. US Cellular also has the same policy.
My last hope was T-Mobile. They currently have 1 phone that has this capability, the Blackberry Pearl. One problem: According to the user forums, if you don’t hook up the data plan, the Blackberry functions can not be used. Apparently, they are not programmed to allow usage of these services with a WIFI connection. WTF… I understand why there is no push to fix this, because it’s more incentive to force users into paying for a data plan. But, let’s look at this logically.
Blackberry provides web services for anyone that purchases Blackberry phones right? By requiring that I pay for a data plan in order to access the service, you are basically imposing a monthly service fee on me. How come your competitors don’t do this? If I purchase an Apple iPhone or Apple iPod Touch, all the built-in applications (the app store, itunes, email apps, etc.) all work with a WIFI connection. They do not require an additional data plan in order to operate them. I get these services for free as a complement for purchasing the phone that works with these services. It’s just one more thing that I think will eventually be part of Blackberry’s demise.
To break into my theory about the future of Smartphones, here’s a review (as I see it) of the current companies in the marketplace. Palm once ruled the smartphone market. They were the 900 lb. gorilla in the room. Blackberry comes along with a slick services platform to complement their phone and swiftly start taking away the market share and became the king of the smartphone market. Then comes along Apple that has an even slicker services platform and starts cleaning up from a different angle: target consumers first and eventually work your way into the businesses. Now enters Google, with the slickest services platform to date. As I see it, Apple and Google Android will be the leaders in the marketplace, with Google Android eventually becoming king (unless Apple is smart enough to extend on their services offering to compete with Google). Palm is dead and Blackberry is quickly bleeding. Blackberry still has a chance to rebound, but they are making all the wrong decisions.
In addition to the WIFI with no data plan issue, if I want to develop for the Blackberry and have my application in the marketplace, I have to pay an upfront application fee of $250 which is good to publish 5 applications. Apple charges $99 per year, Android’s is $25, and Palm is free (if you open source the code, $99 otherwise). Not to mention that Apple and Google Android allow you to price applications for $0.99 (an impulse buy), where Blackberry requires a minimum app amount of $2.99.
Recently on an episode of Diggnation, Kevin Rose and Alex Albrecht talked about how Blackberry is the “battle tested tank” and that most business people prefer it to the Droid or iPhone. They’re right… However, this “tank” still releases new models each year that amount to a new coat of paint (buy our new “blue tank”, it’s pre-waxed!). All the while, the competition is releasing a tank that can fly. So, the competing tank doesn’t have as heavy armor, and the main turret isn’t as powerful, but it can fly! The issue is that Blackberry is releasing the same device in a new shell without any innovation (not on the phones or the services as far as I have seen). Apple and Google Android on the other hand are innovating, with their devices, OS, and services offering. This is why Blackberry needs to innovate… or they will die in this battle.
Back to my original issue, for now I’m confined to using 2 separate devices for this WIFI/Smartphone functions and cellular phone services. grr…. Interestingly enough, from doing research on this topic, it appears I’m not the only one looking for this functionality in a single device. Which goes into another theory of mine, eventually data plans will become obsolete because there will be WIFI hotspots everywhere.
UPDATE 04/01/2010
I moved the article links and my rants/predictions about the future of the smartphone market to this page: Cell phones with WIFI, no data plan required on Page Plus – and more. On that page, I’ve also added some links on phones that will work on Page Plus if you decide to go with them for cellular service.
UPDATE 03/31/2010
I decided to go with Page Plus. Page Plus is a prepaid cell phone card service that runs on the Verizon Wireless network. The customer service isn’t the best, but the cell service paired with a VERY competitive price makes it a deal that you can’t pass up. You can get 1,200 Talk minutes +1,200 Texts for $29.95 per month. If you decide to go with them, I have to recommend Festoons. Tony at Festoons is very prompt and will port your phone number from your existing carrier for $0.99. You can also buy prepaid cards through him at a discount. He was even able to activate a phone for me that Page Plus customer service told me wouldn’t work. I now have a GPS-enabled, WIFI smartphone and the monthly cell service payment is under $30 /month. If you need an unlimited plan, they have an unlimited Talk and Text plan for $39.95 / month.
UPDATE 03/15/2011
Festoons no longer offers the discounted prepaid cards.
UPDATE 09/25/2011
I’m now using a Motorola Droid with Page Plus. I published a post about my experience thus far.
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You can buy an unlocked phone that has Wi Fi capability, insert your sim card (I use pay as you go with AT&T==no contract at all!) and when I want to go online I get online for free through the wireless feature on my phone…have no problem browsing the web, doing email, etc. It’s really quite simple! If you’re phone is locked to a carrier you are at the mercy of the carrier’s policies which will always require you to pay for a data plan.
I came across your website today. I had an HTC TP2 with T-Mo and a phone/data plan. I had to cancel T-Mo when I moved cause I could not get a signal. I was very surprised to see the wifi still worked fine. I did have a T-Mo prepaid sim and that allowed me to make calls away from home. But since the signal was so poor at my new house I finally sold the HTC TP2. Now I have Verizon and want to find a phone that I could use with wifi and no data plan but it also has to have PTT and voice. Anyone know of any? I don’t think I can use an unlocked phone since Verizo doesn’t use sim cards.
I’m searching for the EXACT SAME THING! A cell phone that has WIFI capabilities but does not require a data plan! I was hoping the phone would come around sooner or later, but I am an AT&T customer and as you said, it’s their policy not to offer such a phone
. I don’t want to switch to a different carrier so I think my best option might be to keep my internet-less phone and get an iPod touch or something to use with WIFI.
You know what – I finally gave up and bought myself a $114 Kindle – can use it to check email etc and surf a bit from home. Of course I can’t make phone calls with it
– my husband has the $164 Kindle that also accesses the 3G network. Good for some surfing and of course email checking. They both can play MP3s and are well worth the money if you get free books from Amazon or Gutenberg.org
Verizon has a wifi phone with no data plan requirements. It is a KIN Two Windows phone by Sharp. When I re-signed for my two year agreement with Verizon the phone was discounted to $20 (regular $219). It has been working great for me. My wife and 13 yr old daughter are both waiting for their renewal to get one. Getting online is easy. It works with Zune for music, pictures & video, has an 8 MP camera, FM radio, touch screen, 8GB storage. Not as capable as an Iphone, but the minimal cost outweighs that. More complete info is available on the Verizon website.
Dave is right. The KIN TWOm is a great phone with wi-fi capabilities, a great browser, mp3 player, and much more for a great price.
Someone suggested buying a messaging phone and an ipod. ipods have WIFI.
Can you buy a messaging phone and add a WIFI adapter to it?
AT&T does not bother w/ Nokia phones (probably bc they don’t sell their smartphones & they have such a small marketshare in the US). It saves me @ least $20/mo by solely using free wi-fi.
What does a retired guy need with a data plan? But no data plan = no smartphone that can be used as a reader. KIN Two is no longer available through Verizon. Sigh …
Basic question – can you get a wifi phone and not have service through any carrier, yet still use wifi?
Wayne,
The short answer is I don’t know. I don’t see why you couldn’t do this, but it would probably depend on the phone and how it was designed to work.
You can get the phone with the data plan and cancel the data plan after one month. The Wi-fi Should still work. Or you can try to go online and get a used phone that is wi-fi capable on e-bay for your network.
@jamie – that is a very good idea. Even with a used phone, I think carriers, like Sprint, might balk at activating a smartphone without the data plan and “premium smartphone” surcharge. but calling back later to cancel the dataplan… Brilliant. What are they going to say? No, leave us if you do not want the dataplan?
I just talked with Verizon and was told that anytime ANY smartphone (which includes ALL Android phones and I assume includes all wifi phones) is activated on their network that you will be billed automatically for a data plan… whether you want it or not…no getting around it… even if the phone is bought on eBay or elsewhere.
I just wanted to upgrade to a nice phone, not the ones that look like they were made 10 yrs ago..but all the good phones must have a data plan. This is just a way to get more money out of people and since everyone goes ahead and pays it, they are gonna keep adding on to people’s cell phone bills. I refuse to redo my contract if I can’t get the phone I want.
I also am looking for a wifi,no data plan cell phone. Ive been reading alot on the web and I came across some info. Ive read that as long as a wifi reg cell (which I also found are around, but hard to find I guess)or smartphone was never carried by AT&T (which i use as my carrier) then you can use the wifi for free with it.But, my problem is that when I search for that special cell, I dont know quickly how to tell if AT&T carried it.I cant believe how hard it is to find all this info.any help would be greatly appreciated. just an example, Walmart has the motorola Q9h for only $99.00 but I think that AT&T might have carried it so I might not be able to use it without AT&T recognizing it.Help!
The funny thing about contract they have an expiration date.
Once the contract expires you are not tied to the terms of there contract. So you can go month to month without a contract and use any smartphone you like without data plans and only wifi. The only way they can force you to
use there data plan is with a contract.
fed up! WILL LET CONTRACT W/VERIZON EXPIRE! THEY ARE IN IT FOR THE BIG MONEY AND WHEN YOU ASK ANYONE FROM
VERIZON, THEY STEER YOU INTO THE MOST EXPENSIVE AND LATEST ONE THAT COSTS THE MOST MONEY! THEIR SELECTION OF CELLS W/OUT A DATA PKG IS VERY LIMITED TO 2 PHONES, YET THEY MAKE TRILLIONS ON US! THIS ABSOLUTELY IS VERY
UNFAIR AND POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. I NEED A TOUCHSCREEN
CELL BLUETOOTH W/OUT DATA PKG! THEY WANT TO CHARGE YOU
THE MOST FOR NOT THE BEST PHONES! I HAVE RETURNED 2 PHONES. IF I HAVE TO TAKE A CLASS TO USE A PHONE, I AM
RESIGNING! THIS IS PLAIN CRAZY! YOU ARE IGNORING YOUR JOB, YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR FRIENDS IF YOU HAVE TO PLAY GAMES ON YOUR PHONE, PLUS IT IS SELFISH AND RUDE, UNLESS
YOU ARE ALL ALONE AND BORED TO DEATH! GET A LIFE! AND RELEASE YOURSELF FROM VERIZON’S CHAINS!
My 16 year old daughter is about to get her driver’s license. She currently has a Blackberry Curve, but I will not allow her to have web access once she is driving alone. I am not willing to take the chance that she will be texting or surfing while trying to drive. We have been looking for a “cool looking” phone without web access. Everytime we talk to Verizon reps they say, “Oh, but you don’t have to actually use the mobile access.” Then they push forward and try to sell me the latest and greatest. I interrupt them and say, “Excuse me, this is a matter of my daughter’s life or death…I said NO MOBILE ACCESS.” They don’t get it. I’ve had to just walk away and forgive them for their stupidity.
Verizon has the Kin Two, which has the wifi, which does not require a contract. I bought this for my son, after going to the verizon store and asking the kid that worked there, but you have to order it online, they don’t have them in the stores.. There are reviews of the Kin Two on youtube, if your interested.
So can i buy an unlocked phone on ebay and block data and not have to pay for it but still use wi-fi?
Tyler,
The last 3 phones that I purchased for use on Page Plus were all purchased from Ebay and I turned on the data connection only when I needed it. Otherwise, I used WIFI exclusively.
yes u can buy such a phone i did and i have used it for 2 1/2 years. over a year without any service just wi-fi. it is a unlocked kc 910 renoir by lg
So out of all the Verizon Kins which one is the best. There are several out there – Kin One, Kin Two, Kin One m, Kin Two m. I like the others on this post just want a phone that I can make & receive calls, text including pic texts, and wifi. For now I’m stuck with Verizon as pretty much my entire family/friends have Verizon and I’m in the middle of my contract. I’ve been looking at the Kins for awhile now but I’m just not sure which one to buy. Love the initial post – you are so right!!!
Glad to see I’m not alone. I have a no-contract, inexpensive phone plan and my old flip phone is on its last legs. I’d love to get an unlocked, inexpensive, wi-fi enabled phone. I will use it primarily to make phone calls (egad!). But I’d also like to check my email or the news & sports updates from time to time. And there’s no good reason I should have to pay to use free wi-fi access at my house, the coffee shop, or the train. If I can do this on a laptop, netbook, or e-reader, I straight up refuse to pay extra to do it on a phone!
Still shopping around e-bay and trying to figure out what might work. Thanks for your postings, I’ll read on to the other stuff you wrote.
the winkin1 on verison has wifi and no data plan required.
I too am looking for a wifi,no data plan cell phone. I am currently with Verizon and have the Samsung Fasinate but hardly ever use all its capabilities. Quoting from a post, “So you can go month to month without a contract and use any smartphone you like without data plans and only wifi. The only way they can force you to use there data plan is with a contract.” Will this really work because my contract is almost up and I am sick and tired of paying for the data package I hardly use if any. Help….
If you can use a tablet over wifi, like Samsung 7″ tab, Why aren’t there smaller versions with the same capability? There are services like Skype and Fring and others that work over wifi, if you’re using internet most, and little phone use, I think it would work great. Unlocked phones with sims might work with only wifi on too. I use my android smartphone almost exclusively on wifi. But also pay a monthly plan with data.
Chris
Above you say “Back to my original issue, for now I’m confined to using 2 separate devices for this WIFI/Smartphone functions and cellular phone services. grr…. Interestingly enough, from doing research on this topic, it appears I’m not the only one looking for this functionality in a single device. Which goes into another theory of mine, eventually data plans will become obsolete because there will be WIFI hotspots everywhere. … ”
You are entirely correct!! But did you know that such now exists? Just Google Republic Wireless
You will find much excited discussion!!! One of the links Google finds says says http://republicwireless.com/ is offering what you are looking for!! But you will learn for cost considerably more than Page Plus. Here is a quote form the link below:
“To help minimize costs, Republic Wireless relies on
Hybrid Calling technology, meaning your phone
automatically taps Wi-Fi networks–rather than cellular
ones–whenever possible. No Wi-Fi? No problem. You’ll
still get plain old cell service (via Sprint), but if
your non-Wi-Fi usage gets too high, the company might’
[after warnings, cut you off.]
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19736_7-57320773-251/republic-wireless-unlimited-android-phone-for-$19-per-month/
Sincerely
Henry Gurr
I made an error in my previous post, saying Page Plus is less: This is wrong! So so below you will find my full post, now corrected with added explanations:
******************************************
Chris
Above you say
“Back to my original issue, for now I’m confined to using 2 separate devices for this WIFI/Smartphone functions and cellular phone services. grr…. Interestingly enough, from doing research on this topic, it appears I’m not the only one looking for this functionality in a single device. Which goes into another theory of mine, eventually data plans will become obsolete because there will be WIFI hotspots everywhere. … ”
You are entirely correct!! But did you know that what you ask for, now exists? Just Google Republic Wireless
Among the hits Google lists, you will find much excited discussion!!! One of the links says that the company http://republicwireless.com/ is offering what you are looking for!! And, in addition to Republic Wireless’s many mentioned new innovative service, you will learn they cost considerably less than Page Plus, which up to now is the best, or among the best for cell phone seervice!! The reason for this is in the quote below: It is the fact that when you are using the cell phone supplied by republicwireless.com/ , you are most of the time on WiFi. And as you know, WiFi costs near zero additional cost for you or for Republic!! And in addition, for nearly all the remote functions on your SmartPhone, you get the vastly higher speed of WiFi (whichis mostly always accessible), rather than the much lower speed of a costly cell phone tower!! Here is a quote from the link below:
“To help minimize costs, Republic Wireless relies on
Hybrid Calling technology, meaning your phone
automatically taps Wi-Fi networks–rather than
cellular ones–whenever possible. No Wi-Fi? No
problem. You’ll still get plain old cell service
(via Sprint), but if your non-Wi-Fi usage gets too
high, the company might [after several warnings,
cut you off.]
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19736_7-57320773-251/republic-wireless-unlimited-android-phone-for-$19-per-month/
*************
Here’s something I did that you might try. Purchase an UNLOCKED wifi-enabled phone off eBay. The wifi should work just fine. Two models I’ve known to work are the LG Renoir and the Sony Ericsson C905. Be careful as the Sony is sold in the USA as C905a for ATT. The European and Asian versions have wifi capabilities, but the USA version doesn’t (you can review it on CNET). Hope that works for you. Good luck!
So has anyone let the contract run out? Not have a data plan but WIFI?
ATT has a phone that has wifi that doesnt require a data plan. The phone is called HTC Warhawk(ST6356). its very slow but it works.
As an intellegent individual, you MUST understand from the carrier’s perspective why they can’t offer you a feature-rich smartphone with wifi capability paired with a cheap calling package. How are they supposed to recoup their cost of the smartphone on a $30/mo calling package? It’s economic common sense, for which I side with the carriers. That being said, I DO have a problem when you approach a carrier where you’ve brought your OWN smartphone to the party, and all you want is cell phone service. I, like you, really only want or need wifi for the smartphone. If I’ve brought my own phone, the carrier doesn’t have a vested financial interest in my phone, therefore, should be more than happy to provide me with cell-only service. But the sad fact remains that they won’t do that. It should be my perogative what kind of phone I want to use, and how I wish to use it. This is where cell carriers true greed shows through.
Just give me a damn phone without a data plan, and charge me $30 if use the data that month. how hard is that?
We have wi-fi enabled Samsung s-flip phones we got through t-mobile about 2.5 years.
We’ve no interest in data. We just want cell phones that can make and receive calls.
The wi-fi ensures that we can do this over our home wireless network.
We can also do this while traveling when staying at places with free wireless or at open wireless establishes. This is especially useful when out of our provider’s calling area or in the mountains.
Unfortunately, simple phones like these are no long offered. Smart phones require much more expensive data plans.
So we are hoping these phones hang on for a while.
Sorry, typo. The Samsung phones are models SGH-T339.
Bill you asked: How are they supposed to recoup their cost of the smartphone on a $30/mo calling package? The answer is charge the regular cost of the phone let’s say $150 rather than offering the free or 1 cent type of offer. Then allow the customer to continue their non-data plan and still have use of teh wi-fi capabilities of the phone. Tablets and Ipods offer wifi without a contract, so why should the phone carrier…The phone provider then profits from the phone sale and from the phone service; and the customer gets wifi and gets to continue their phone service. That’s the point
This has been my gripe for so long. At some point I think they will have to change what they are doing. There are so many wifi spots around that I never really need to use the data that I am paying $15.00 a month for. It would be nice if AT&T would allow it be banked like minutes.
Great discussion! Like all of you, my [Google] search led me here. I just read an article stating that Verizon now requires a contract with a KIN TWO activation, which I have not verified. For now, I will be sticking with my simple Trance cell phone and use my iPod Touch for wifi. Having recently signed up for an unlimited Skype FreeTalk package (to all my home and cell contacts) as a second home phone I discovered that it is also unlimited from my computer and my iPod Touch. So, wifi just got a whole lot better!
I just came across your post and wanted to share that I am using my HTC Evo 4G offline because I lost my job and couldn’t afford my phone bill. I was shut off by my company and I’m paying them back very slowly. My phone broke andI just ordered another one on Amazon and continue to use it for calls and sms over Wifi.
I just want to be able to get a phone with a touchscreen without buying a data plan. My elderly dad needs a touchscreen (buttons are bigger and easier to dial),but has no need for anything other features. It is sad that I need to pay $30 a month for a data plan that he NEVER uses just so he could get a touchscreen phone (and larger screen).
I have an unlimited data plan and had it from the start of android, I am on my 3rd android phone, my old phones have google voice, and groove ip on them and i can use them on wifi to use the web and make calls using voip. 80% of the time i am near wifi. so free calling and free web access.
many of you have either forgotten or not been born in the 80-90s when AT&T had the monopoly over the long distance lines and a 10min. phone call to grandma would cost you as much as dining out with you GF. ATT will never hesitate to employ the dirtiest business practices as long as it gets them to your $. I guess they are trying to recoup the billion from their long distance monopoly/price gouging settlement. We need a new Worldcom… or we are doomed.
I too am looking for a phone to use for calls (between spouse and I) we currently have Verizon and are paying 100.00 month. We just dropped texting because it is too expensive!! We want less talk minutes, freedom to text and data capabilities without being tied to a company for 2 yr contract! It seems that you either pay for cheaper service and coverage not as good, or great coverage, but way too expensive!! I am not willing to pay 1200-1600 a yr for phone. I do want to be able to use wifi if traveling or lost somewhere, or need something while on road. Any suggestions? A friend said get cheap pay as you go phones and use Ipod touch, but it will not work on say a road trip!
The only solution I see is to buy an unlocked smart phone off ebay. This means it’s not locked in to any carrier, you just put your SIM card in it and it will work (I confirmed this with T mobile). You will have to pay more for it, but I think the benefits of being able to use wifi, not paying for a data plan, and having a generally “nicer” phone outweigh the price. I’m going to try it and will update you on how it goes. (I’m also sold on http://republicwireless.com/ and I might try that later on when my T mobile contract runs out).
Hey all!
I’ve been exploring the smart phone w/wifi and no data plan and as a result bought a smartphone (unlocked, 2 sim cards, quadband, you can use it almost anywhere in the world) from China in October. I asked T-Mobile to block my internet access (to avoid the data charges), It worked like a charm, but then a month later each time i wanted to use public wifi (work, university, airport) I started getting T-Mobile landing page, “buy data plan”. Now I can only use wifi at home. From checking into problem, it looks that T_Mobile disables my WiFi connection in public places where I am connecting to unsecured internet.What is you experience?
Chris! I have the perfect solution for you! Two phones, the KIN ONE, and the KIN TWO, are excellent phones are do not require a data plan, and HAVE a wifi connection!! I personally own the KIN ONE and it is an amazing phone. I love it! Its touch screen, small, compact, and I can get free internet on it when wifi is available. Depending on what you like, check out both phones, the KIN ONE and KIN TWO! I hope you find what you’re looking for!!
If anyone has a solution for Tmobile carrier without a data plan, I am all ears. I have been to 3 different store today and it is the same story. All I want is a large touch screen. Not a flip, or a slider.
Tina,
I didn’t like cell phones Tmobile was offering with no data plan. I wanted phone with wifi and touch screen like you want. Therefore I signed for 2-year plan without phones, unlimited texting and 1000 minutes for 67$ (without taxes) for 4 phones. I asked them to block my internet access. I bought phones in China over internet., ranging from 100 to 200$. They work well, some quirks with android operating system but I solved them. The problem described above is solved I am still getting Tmobile landing page but overpass it. The cheap Chinese phones have slower processors and less Ram,