I have the samsung galaxy ace, depends on where you get the phone how much it will cost you. Yes you need a package. With mine I got the phone for free if I signed up for the three year package. Each month a percentage of my "free" phone gets paid for when I pay my bill. Not really what I wanted to do, but I have it now. Still learning as I have only had it for two months and I AM NOT a phone person..I got it for internet service when at the cottage and emergencies. By the way I pay 36 dollars a month, and have everything that I need by choosing a data package that worked for me. They can figure out your needs and make one to suit you. I like the fact that my plan has a data saver add on that let me take the least usage and if I should go over I will not be cut off but will jump to the next level until the end of the month when I start over again. If I don't use it I don't lose it because I haven't actually purchased it until then.

Mine requires an extra $20 a month for data usage for each smart phone on the contract. I do like my smart phone. We are always looking up something or other online so have learned about a lot of different things we probably wouldn't have remembered to look up once we got home from whereever!

I use Facebook, so do that on my phone. I've also placed a couple of Ebay bids, and have checked email. I can send photographs by text OR by email and sometimes email photographs taken with my phone to my home email account so I can view them on my computer. I've also emailed them to my kindle. I installed a chat option when I needed to get ahold of someone while on the road, but didn't know her phone number. There are all kinds of ways to use a smart phone!

It's a lot cheaper if you can go a plan with someone else.

Threej's must have an awesome plan - because it seems like most phone/data plans would run you $70-100 per month for a decent (2gb) amount of data. You can get less, but I would think you wouldn't want to start with under 2GB.

The plans I have all have some talk minutes, unlimited texting, and data.

I don't have data on my line though. I don't want it.

Watch your plans - you could be locked into a 2 to 3 year contract.

There are pay-as-you-go plans.

I'm actually on a family plan right now, which might make it cost less or also might make it more complicated. I'll have to ask my DD about my options.

I really should put this idea aside for now and put my mental energy into learning how to use the new toy I bought last week: my fancy new photo printer. But the review I read of the Galaxy was so seductive, and I've been so very frugal for so long now (except for the photo printer)...... LOL

Mine is a family plan. The $20 I mentioned was their additional charge for adding a smart phone rather then a traditional phone to the plan. In addition to the regular charges, it is $20 for each smart phone. I'm with Verizon.

What kind of photo printer did you get! They are FUN! I have a large format printer, so I can print up to 13x19. I have only printed as large as a 12x12 though. I mostly print 4x6 or multiple pics on 8.5x11. The larger paper is SO expensive!

I have a neat little free software if you want the link that allows you to print more than one picture on a page, etc...

If you use Photoshop or some other type of editing software, you wouldn't need it - but if you don't it is a neat little gadget!

Iowagirl, I bought a Canon PIXMA Pro 9000, which prints 13x19 too. (Is that what you have?) These big printers are BIG, aren't they? I could barely drag mine into the house, and it's still in its box waiting for me to reorganize my desk to make room for it.

Although the printer apparently produces stunning color photos, it doesn't do that great a job with black & white. I knew this when I ordered it, but a good greyscale printer costs around $800--well out of my budget. So I'll continue to send those out to Mpix or Adoramapix.

I use Photoshop Elements, but I'd like to check out the link to your gadget anyway. Thanks!

I just bought the Samsung 4G in April. Bill is 79.99 plus taxes and fees, I think it runs about 84.00 a month. 450 minutes, no limit on mobile to mobile or night/weekend calls, 1000 text, picture and video limit (I used 129 last month, so that's quite a bit)

I'll find out for sure, but I'm guessing mine will be similar to Jel's: about $20 more per month. Doesn't sound like much, but I'll have to give some thought to whether it would be worth $240/year ($1,200 for five years) to use that pretty new toy. I'm sure I would enjoy the Internet, etc., and possibly the camera function (I'm rather attached to my real cameras), but I don't make much use of my existing cell phone on a regular basis. So it might turn out to be more of a luxury than I can justify.

Thanks for the info!

I'm with Verizon. We pay $30 a month for each smart phone. You can also have what is called a "feature phone" which is NOT a smart phone for $10 a month. These prices are for certain amounts of DATA. $30 includes 2 GB. Verizon used to have a $20 plan for smart phones...and may still have it grandfathered, but you can't buy it anymore as of a few months ago. (I bought one in December, but could NOT buy one in March)

alisandi, I agree. I have to justify what I buy. I have a pay as you go cell phone at around $8. a month and no land line. The minutes roll over, that is all I need. If I want to surf or email I will do that at home. I also like my regular camera. I bought a tablet for around $70 and thought of it as a toy. A smart phone does not fall into that category.

I have an iPhone with an AT&T grandfathered in unlimited data plan. We have a family plan so the phone service for my phone is $9.99 per month and my data plan is $30 per month. There are less expensive limited data plans.

I've had an iPhone for a few years. In my opinion it's one of the best inventions in my lifetime (so far) and one of the best values for my money. I use it a lot for everything to run my life - the least of which is its use as a phone.

I have Verizon, so I guess I'd probably be looking at $30/month, which brings my $250/year up to $360. Uh-oh ....this is beginning to look like one of those cool ideas that will have to stay in the idea stage. LOL

Thanks for the information, everyone!

I have had a "dumb" smartphone for several years through no contract Virginmobile. Both Virgin & Boost (no contract, both on Sprint network) have the HTC EVO. I'm buying the phone @299 (would be $199 with Sprint contract), dumping Virgin & going with Booost (DH is in both, no problems) & will pay $55/mo. for unlimited talk/text/data (2.5G cap) that will drop $5 in price every 6 months until after 18 Months it's $40/mo. Techy son loves the EVO. I love the no contract Booost price.

Hey EmmaR,
Would you mind telling me what phone and/or service you have for that 8 bucks per month? How many minutes? How it works, etc.?

Thanks,

Sea