Cheapest phone to use as a tethering device?

bunberry

I have a tmobile contract that I want to use for mainly tethering, what is the cheapest phone I can buy to do so? Does it need to have Android OS?

This Samsung Europa is the cheapest Android I found at £64.95 (including mandatory top up) http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/mobiles/mobile-phones/SAMSUNG-I5500-EUROPA

Thanks guys!

Mickyp

You can do it with a Blackberry using the Blackberry Desktop software, it's quite easy, just run the programme and plug your phone in.

Don't know if you want a Blackberry, not everyone's cup of tea!

bunberry

They all seem to be quite expensive at £100+ and I had to return my Blackberry Pearl after 2 days because I hated it, so unfortunately that's not an option for me

DUTR

bunberry wrote: »

I have a tmobile contract that I want to use for mainly tethering, what is the cheapest phone I can buy to do so? Does it need to have Android OS?

This Samsung Europa is the cheapest Android I found at £64.95 (including mandatory top up) http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/mobiles/mobile-phones/SAMSUNG-I5500-EUROPA

Thanks guys!

If it carries Android 2.2 Froyo and supports wifi then away you go, the HTC wilfire works well for this purpose.

AmongTheLiving

It doesn't have to be an Android phone, or even a smartphone for that matter, to support tethering. I have a Samsung Tocco F480 and it works like a charm, just hook it up, install the bundled software and off browsing you go! The thing is, since older phone models tend to get phased out, I'm not even sure you can get it anymore, but if you do (eBay maybe?), it should be really cheap by now

DUTR

AmongTheLiving wrote: »

It doesn't have to be an Android phone, or even a smartphone for that matter, to support tethering. I have a Samsung Tocco F480 and it works like a charm, just hook it up, install the bundled software and off browsing you go! The thing is, since older phone models tend to get phased out, I'm not even sure you can get it anymore, but if you do (eBay maybe?), it should be really cheap by now

You are correct it does not have to be android, my Satio will work as such via bluetooth and windows, or via a lead, some handsets will become a wi fi hotspot, and having paid £40 for my mi fi, and learning that the android handsets with correct hardware and software will do the same and more for not much more, seems a giveaway at £100.

Hammyman

I've used my Nokia 5800 and my old Sony Ericsson k800i in the past.

DUTR

Hammyman wrote: »

I've used my Nokia 5800 and my old Sony Ericsson k800i in the past.

There is an App now for the Nokia which allows the handset to be used as a wirelss hotspot, there maybe one to allow the music to be streamed via FM too .