Looking for Advice/Opinions: Need a new phone & considering switching from Cricket (TMobile, Verizon)

[cttw]

Been with Cricket for just over a year. Been using their Broadband for internet during last 3 months & get a slight discount on that price.

When started their service, they sold me this Kyocera 132 phone, it's small & blue & had problems with picture screen since after the first month. Now, for the past week, the battery OR the phone only work for a few minutes of talk time (after being charged ALL night!). I heard that you can't replace the battery with any one, have to buy Kyocera only? and that's more expensive?

Don't even know if it's the battery or the phone. Thinking of replacing phone, thinking of switching to another carrier besides Cricket. Don't want a credit check, don't want any contracts, need unlimited or lotsa minutes since this is my only phone. However, only need very basic phone service, don't care about camera, video, games or even texting!

Asking for opinions: Which carrier to switch to? (want one with reliable customer service)
What inexpensive, reliable phone to buy?

Thanks in advance for your responses!

[themaster]

Boost Mobile I believe is a sprint service re-sold.. It's offering $50 unlimited minutes nationwide I believe.. I'm sure there's a way to tether it to a computer and I'm sure it has data on it.. but you'd have to double check that for sure.. I recommend reading howardforums.com the best place I know off to learn about cell phones from users.. I have no clue about Boost Mobile's customer service.. it may be sprint's if it is.. many have issues with it.. as a sprint customer however I must say I don't.. (yah, there annoying but I've never had *real* problems with them)

Here the website.. says what you want.. no contracts, yada, yada..
Prepaid Cell Phones and Phone Plans from Boost Mobile – "Where You At?"®

Don't have a clue about the phone.. my understanding is that boost has limited phones.. you maybe able to bring over another carriers phone though (on some networks you can get away with that).. I highly suggest you read howardforums.com they know 900% more then I do about all phones and all carriers.. and I know a lot but it's about sprint and some about verizon networks I've used..

[MikeJaquish]

2nd the note on howardforums.com

Themaster mentioned them in my earlier thread seeking information, and there is a HUGE knowledge base and cell phone community there.
Kept me up too late last night reading.

[nutleynut]

If batteries are not run all the way out before recharging they learn to charge for shorter times. This cannot be fixed.