After reading the Superguide (much props to I.P. Daley), and after asking around in my (mainly rural) area about different networks and reception, and after figuring out what MVNO I want to switch to (P'Tel), I can't figure out what phone I need.
I thought I had it figured out-- just pick up an unlocked GSM phone. But then I went to scrounge a good deal on one, and I learned just enough more to thoroughly confuse me.
Platinum Tel uses T-Mobile's network, right? This is my understanding from the Superguide.
When I looked at all the options for phones, all of a sudden I have too many choices:
US GSM vs Global GSM?
SIM card?
What brand? Model?
I did some vague research on the GSM issue, and I feel like I don't understand it well enough to even know how to answer my questions. Apparently T-Mobile uses different transmission frequencies than other telecom networks? And will any/all GSM phones work for P'Tel, or MUST I get a US GSM phone, lest my phone be useless here in the states? And how do I find a phone that fits whatever criteria this is?
I vaguely know what a SIM card does, but I buy that from P'Tel, right? It's a chip that tells my phone to "talk" to P'Tel/T-Mobile, rather than any other network/operator, right?
Regarding the actual phone itself, here's what I want to do:
I want to replace my tracfone that I use while delivering pizza. I want to have a real-time fuel economy gauge. I've budgeted a max of about $60-65, which I figure should buy a good-condition older version top-quality phone.....I just have no idea what the actual best phones/brands/models are. I have no need for a top-of-the-line-brand-newnewnew gizmo, but I would like it to be easy to use, and not clunky.
-Make/receive calls (10-15 minutes/month)
-Make/receive texts (1-2/month)
-Use Torque app to read OBDII data via bluetooth ELM unit.
-Use video/music streaming services (via wi-fi).
-Not have it be glitchy.