Earlier quoted context omitted.
It isn't the most powerful Android phone out there, but it does run stock, has regular updates, will run third party ROMs, and is absolutely the best value for an out of contract smart phone, even more so with the $100 price drop. If you're in a T-Mobile coverage area, look at Simple Mobile ($50/month unlimited everything)
Or, if you don't talk a lot, the $30/month 100 minutes / unlimited / unlimited plan: http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-plans "$30 per month - 100 minutes talk | Unlimited text | First 5 GB at up to 4G speeds" Fine print: "New activations only." A new SIM card ($10) counts as a new activation. ;-) For more detailed discussion: http://news.cnet.com/8301-33620_3-57587175-278/is-this-the-b...
I'm not sure if it's T-Mobile hardware or towers, but given I just use the phone to f around and am not reliant on it for work, I don't really feel it's worth trying to RMA or anything