The big problem with getting cell phones now is that you get locked into expensive data plans. AT&T as well as Verizon want an incremental $40 per phone (although it does come with unlimited text and voice) for two years. Even T-mobile which is inexpensive wants $10 for voice/messaging plus $20 for data.
The easiest solution is to buy an unlocked phone with no contract and then use it on the T-mobile (or AT&T) network. I didn’t realize is, but Amazon has a huge selection of unlocked phones in the Amazon Phones Store
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Top of the list is the Samsung I8190 Galaxy S III Mini Unlocked (White)
This is a medium priced smart phone at just $290 unlocked (half the price of an unlocked iPhone 5 or Galazy IV).