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I am getting a new phone later today, as my current 'texting' phone has started powering off randomly and battery life is getting worse. So, I will finally join the rest of the herd and get a smartphone. Any advice on which ones to avoid or which you would highly recommend? My needs are basic...phone, email, messaging, appointments, web browser. The phone will not be used for viewing cat videos or other such fluff and will be on wifi most of the time. The ability to run Office365 would be nice, but not a deal breaker. Suggestions? 
"Go forth into the source" - Neal Morse
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Well I have a Samsung Galaxy Note 3, and very happy with it... Not tried Office365 on it as don't have a subscription. But found the S-Pen useful for taking notes and that.
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After the first 3 iPhones, a blackberry 9700 and at least 3 Android phones I took the plunge on a windows phone this year and have been VERY happy with it. (Nokia 920.)
With google's "we're everywhere in your life" antics of late I'm not turning back, though I've nothing against an iPhone.
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How much are you willing to spend? Will you be buying at standard carrier subsidy rates, from a low cost carrier with small/no subsidies, or full retail price for an unlocked phone?
Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, waging all things in the balance of reason?
Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful?
--Zachris Topelius
Training a telescope on one’s own belly button will only reveal lint. You like that? You go right on staring at it. I prefer looking at galaxies.
-- Sarah Hoyt
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I don't mind renewing a contract with my current provider, through a company account. As a small business though, we are hoping to renegotiate for a better deal. Not counting salaries, communications are nearly half of our business expenses. Not sure about the other options, but we won't be paying full retail. Thanks.
"Go forth into the source" - Neal Morse
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kmoorevs wrote: The phone will not be used for viewing cat videos or other such fluff
They (we) all say that at first, and then you fall and start watching cat videos when your project rebuilds!!! 
Anyway, they are pretty much all the same (iPhone, Samsung, Lumia, ...)
I suggest going to a store and have a look at them, see the size/weight of the different products and decide which one feels the best.
IMO, If you feel you really need an "office" thing, then you don't want a phone, you will be disappointed by the "experience" when trying to create content.
I'd rather be phishing!
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I'd recommend a Nokia Lumia 820 or above, particularly if you plan to do any app/game development for Windows Phone. I have an 820 and it's great for all of the things that you mentioned. I have 7 Windows Phones (including the Nokia 620 & 900), 2 iPhones, and 1 Android - I use all of them for development purposes. The 820 is the first Windows Phone I've owned that I'd recommend to anyone and I actually use it as my primary phone now. I like it that much.
The 920/925/928 improve on the 820/822 with a higher resolution screen and better camera features. The 1020 is the ultimate camera-phone, a 41-Mpix camera-first Windows Phone (I'm planning to get one soon). But if you don't need the highest resolution screen or camera, then I recommend giving the 820 (AT&T) or 822 (Verizon) a look.
modified 24-Oct-13 13:49pm.
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Leslie[^] would like a word with you.
Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, waging all things in the balance of reason?
Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful?
--Zachris Topelius
Training a telescope on one’s own belly button will only reveal lint. You like that? You go right on staring at it. I prefer looking at galaxies.
-- Sarah Hoyt
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Thanks for the WP recommendation. The WP Lumina is my favorite so far. Based on popularity, does opting for a WP mean that you think different? 
"Go forth into the source" - Neal Morse
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Repeating that comment in the wrongright place could cause certain people to drop dead of apoplexy.
Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, waging all things in the balance of reason?
Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful?
--Zachris Topelius
Training a telescope on one’s own belly button will only reveal lint. You like that? You go right on staring at it. I prefer looking at galaxies.
-- Sarah Hoyt
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kmoorevs wrote: does opting for a WP mean that you think different?
No, just very slowly, and with frequent errors. 
Will Rogers never met me.
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Low-cost Nokia Lumia Windows phones offer more than iOS and Android
http://www.zdnet.com/low-cost-nokia-lumia-windows-phones-offer-more-than-ios-and-android-7000015922/[^]
"There are very few low-end Android devices running the Jelly Bean software that was released in July 2012. Most run Ice Cream Sandwich while some even still run Gingerbread, a version of Android that was released in 2011. These devices tend to slow down with usage, have inconsistent user experiences, and have low quality cameras, and I often hear many frustrations from people with these devices."
Thats why I'm plannig change my Motorola Defy (Android) for a Lumia. (Sorry for bad English)
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I have the Nokia 920, and really like it. The built in wireless charging is a very cool feature.
Only thing I don’t like about it is the application back / escape button also doubles as the browser back button. That's a pain...
Common sense is admitting there is cause and effect and that you can exert some control over what you understand.
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I've got the Lumia 920 and have been pleasantly surprised by Windows Phone 8.
The people hub is one of the least marketed apps that comes built in, but it is excellent as handling all your contact information and bringing together everything from contact details to all the messaging history for each contact.
If you get a Windows Phone that comes with Office, it looks like you can link it up to Office 365 as well (I haven't tried, but the setup seems to be there).
Having never used Android I can't compare, but compared to the iPhones I was provided for work at a previous job, personally I find Windows Phone easier to use plus less laggy than the iPhone.
------------------------
Luke Lovegrove
------------------------
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Luke Lovegrove wrote: personally I find Windows Phone easier to use plus less laggy than the iPhone.
I read that as "personally I find Windows Phone easier to use plus less faggy than the iPhone".
I got to get my eyes checked.
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Another plug for Windows Phone.
If your needs are basic, all the more reason.
I, too, am tired of Google's antics lately and I'm avoiding Android at all costs.
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I've had the Samsung ATIV S since earlier this year and have been very happy with it. Without starting a flame war, I personally found it easier to use over Android.
No problems accessing my SkyDrive and bringing up any Office documents.
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At the risk of being mocked, I have a BlackBerry z10.
I took out a second contract just to get it, as I suspect my (quite nice) Galaxy S3 Mini was used as an attack vector on my PC's when physically connected to them(think about it - if you have an Android exploit, and you are plugged into USB, you are already past the firewalls).
Anyway, z10 sucks signals in and just keeps going when Samsung and HTC drop off the network. It is compliant with every kind of signal you can name, and comes with a well-integrated interface.
It has a native app for all kinds of MS office files, and the apps are good enough to get all your jobs done.
The browser is renowned for its speed. And now that BBM has been released on Android and i-phone, you and even non-BB users have secure, free instant messaging across the BlackBerry servers which are worldwide and don't(AFAIK) incur roaming charges.
They are also renowned for their security, which is why I went for one.
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I'd go with either the Lumia 820 or 920. Personally, I have the 920 and I simply love it.
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Nokia Lumia 1020 is at this moment the "Rolls Royce" or "Rolex" among smartphones. Every smartphone with Windows Phone 7.5 or greater version is a good choice.
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Samsung S X (1, 2, 3, 4 - Depends on how much you can spend) if you want a nice phone.
Nokia Lumia X if you want to do Windows Phone Dev
iPhone X if you want to watch the world burn
BlackBerry X if you're feeling suicidal, and want a phone to go with you when you die 
-= Reelix =-
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I just bought a Samsung S3 (i747) for $32 from Amazon. (Watch out for the difference between the older i9300 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and the newer i747 in offers). It has Android Jelly Bean and a bunch of apps including Quick Office for MS Office compatibility. And you get to say you own a 747!
I am sure it has some warts along with the sunshine. There are so many Free apps on Google Play, Amazon Store, and others that I intend to tailor it to my specific preferences.
I did this for my wife on her i747. She has what she prefers. Her needs are at the opposite end of the scale from mine.
One thing to put extra emphasis on for any smartphone is virus and malware protection. Hackers are targeting mobile phones. There are some good AV and AMAL apps out there. Make sure to get one and test it.
So for $32, considering the plethora of apps, this may be a good choice for you as well.
Good luck.
"Courtesy is the product of a mature, disciplined mind ... ridicule is lack of the same - DPM"
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If you aren't expecting phone calls and aren't using it, switch you phone to flight mode. You'd be amazed how long the battery lasts in flight mode. Mine, which usually drains in 1.5 days lasted 7 days!!! Of course, everybody knows I don't switch my phone on (or it is in flight mode so I can't receive anything) so there is no problem receiving calls.
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