smartphone recommendations?

[sda]

Any recommendations for a sub $300 smartphone?
 
The wife wants to dump AT&T contract and go with a T-Mobile no contract.  She also wants a smartphone.  I'm OK with a dumbphone, but it makes sense to get a couple of identical smartphones for us.
She saw the LG Optimus F6 at the T-mobile store, which isn't available yet on the free market. 
The older F3 seems to be about the same thing and Amazon has it for about $200.
 

 

[Del91574]

I have both an Iphone and SG3. (work and personal). I prefer the droid over the Apple product night and day. I haven't played with a  SG4, but the 3 hasn't really given me any reasons to complain, besides battery life, which is universally bad with all smart phones and using the net.

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

In my family plan I have a Samsung Galaxy S2, S4, and the new Moto X by Motorola (all droids).
 
I like the Moto X above all of them (including the S4).  The S4 is a great phone, but it's just to big.  I would think a woman's smaller hands might have a problem with it.  The screen size is slightly smaller than the S4, but it's worth it as it's just a lot smaller (i.e. good screen size to phone size ratio).
 
The Moto X does have two problems though, one, the battery is not removable, and two, no external (Micro SD) card capability.  You can get a 16 GB or 32 GB internal memory versions of it.  It does have a slick voice command, but haven't played with it to much as it's my son's phone.
 
I would highly recommend having your wife try whatever phone you are thinking about holding it as some are just behemoths.
 
EDIT:  Sorry, re-read your post and you want a no contract phone for a specific price, so the above will most likely be out of your range.  You might look at the used market, maybe an S3?

 

[wuench]

The Nexus 5 is rumored to be released in the next few weeks and some blogs have said the 16MB version will have a $299 no-contract/unlocked price.

 

[IVB]

the "no-contract" is a huge financial hit, unless you get the Nexus. I bought an N4 for $300, and will be upgrading (as will many). You could get an N4 for dirt cheap, i'd bet $200ish. (I'm not selling mine, keeping it as a backup, btw)
 
But that assumes Android/google fits into your life.  If the rest of your life involves Apple (iTunes, AppleTV), then having a 1off phone would be more of a hassle. Significant price hit, I think the cheapest unlocked iPhone is $600 new. Used ones are pretty skittish battery-quality wise, since they're not replaceable. My wife's 2 year old iPhone4 barely lasts 5 hours, less if she actually uses it.
 
If you go on-contract then you mitigate that, but lock yourself into big payments for 2 years. If you think you'll have it for years either way thats a non-issue.
 
FYI in my area, T-Mobile is notorious for pitiful inside-building service. I tried the pay-as-you-go plan, popped a TMo sim chip inside my phone with a new number just as a cheap test ($10), indeed I couldn't get a signal inside my house. The second I stepped outside, it was a full signal. 

 

[sda]

Thanks for the feedback.  I'll make sure she trys out the phone for size.  And I think I'll do a test run with a pay-as-you go this week.

 

[video321]

I will second a couple opinions...
I'm also waiting for the N5 to be released (I only go with no contract plans). And you may want to talk to other people in your area who have T-Mobile before signing up for anything they have to offer! Keep in mind too the service may be ok in your area, but surrounding areas can be a whole different animal. IVB is correct about signal strength in a building... or even a house for that matter.