Smartphone Deals: Samsung Galaxy S3 for 1 Cent, An iPhone 5 Plan That Saves

OK, it's 2013. It's high time to embrace on-the-go smartphone technologies. Not only is having internet access at the palm of your hand a convenience, but these smartphone deals make investing in a new cell phone an inexpensive venture.

1. 
Samsung Galaxy S III 16GB 4G Android Smartphone for Sprint
   Store: Amazon Wireless
   Price: 1 cent with free 2-day shipping EXPIRED
   Lowest By: $80

   Is It Worth It? According to CNET, the Samsung Galaxy S III is "[p]umped with high-performing hardware and creative software features" and "is an excellent, top-end phone." But it won't cost you top-dollar with this Editors' Choice deal: the one cent price point ties our mention from a week ago and is the best price we've seen for this phone from Sprint.

   This CDMA 4G phone features a 4.8" 720x1280 Super AMOLED touchscreen, Snapdragon 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB memory, 8-megapixel rear camera, 2-megapixel front camera, 1080p video capture, GPS, Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11n wireless, Google Android 4.0 OS (Ice Cream Sandwich), and more. Note that a $36 activation applies.

   If you're not a Sprint fan, check out the refurbished Samsung Galaxy S III 4G Android Smartphone for AT&T in both Marble White and Pebble Blue for $29.99 with free shipping and a new 2-year contract. That's $20 under our now-expired mention of a new model of this phone from two weeks ago and $100 below the lowest total price we could find for a new AT&T unit today. Note that a 90-warranty applies, but it's unclear who supports it. Also, a $36 activation fee applies.

2. 
iPhone 5 with Unlimited Talk, Text, and Data Plan via Straight Talk Wireless
   Store: Walmart
   Price: From $749 and $45/month with free in-store pickup

   Is It Worth It?: For those who are hesitant to switch over to a smartphone, for fear of dealing with contracts and expensive data plans, this deal will change your mind. While you'll have to invest upfront in a new Apple iPhone 5 in Black or White starting at $749 (the 16GB version is currently sold out), you can then save about $1,000 over a 2-year period, according to the New York Times, when you also sign up for a pay-as-you-go plan like Straight Talk Wireless. You'll get unlimited talk, text, and data for $45 a month. Yes, that's unlimited data, which Gotta Be Mobile calls "incredibly attractive," and we call just plain smart.

3. 
HTC EVO V 4G Prepaid Android Smartphone for Virgin Mobile
   Store: Virgin Mobile
   Price: $149.99 with free shipping
   Lowest By: $30
   Expires: February 12

   Is It Worth It?: Again, for those cell phone users who don't want to be tethered by 2-year contracts, Virgin Mobile continues to discount select smartphones, including the pictured HTC EVO V 4G Prepaid Android Smartphone, which is $149.99 after the promotion. According to CNET, this is "one of the most compelling phones to hit Virgin Mobile in a long while," despite a few design flaws.

   Also available through this deal is the contract-free Motorola Triumph 3G Prepaid Android Smartphone for Virgin Mobile for $179.99 (a low by $35). According to Laptop Mag, "the Motorola Triumph provides a very good Android experience without a contract," though they note that its battery life isn't the greatest. Note that this offer expires January 28.

4. 
HTC Droid DNA 4G 1080p Android Smartphone for Verizon Wireless
   Store: LetsTalk
   Price: $107.99 via coupon code "TALK4TEN" with free shipping
   Lowest By: $42

   Is It Worth It?: Although we saw this smartphone for $18 less three weeks ago, this is the lowest total current price we could find by $42. Sign up for the 2-year contract and pay the $35 activation fee, and you're still coming out ahead with "HTC's flagship Android phone." And despite a few design flaws, the Droid DNA has a "top-notch" camera and "is at the top of its class."

   Features include a 5" 1920x1080 (1080p) touchscreen with Corning Gorilla Glass 2, Qualcomm 1.5GHz quad-core processor, up to 12.8-hour talk time, 16GB internal memory, 8-megapixel rear camera with 1080p video recording, 2.1-megapixel front camera, microSD card slot, Bluetooth 4.0, and Android 4.1 OS (Jelly Bean).

5. 
Unlocked Cobalt 5" 8GB Capactive Touchscreen Android Phone
   Store: Cobalt Electronics via eBay
   Price: $159 with free shipping
   Lowest By: $5

   Is It Worth It?: Unlocked phones are the perfect way to make the most of the smartphone world. Free of contracts and networks, insert an active GSM SIM card into this quad-band GSM handset — which is the cheapest unlocked 5" 8GB Android 4.0 phone we could find — and start making calls and browsing the web right away.

   Features include a 5" 800x480 touchscreen display, 1GHz processor, 512MB RAM, 8GB memory, microSD memory expansion, 5-megapixel camera and camcorder, Bluetooth 2.0, WiFi, Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) OS, and more.