The rumors were right, HTC’s One V lands on Virgin Mobile for $199

HTC announced three devices at Mobile World Congress in February of this year. The One X, their 4.7 inch flagship device; the One S, the slightly smaller 4.3 inch smartphone with a serious case of anorexia; and the budget One V, which is a refresh of the 2010 hit, the HTC Legend. Last month we heard rumors that the One V would land on America’s shores courtesy of Virgin Mobile. That was believable. What wasn’t believable was that it would be sold for a meager $199. Well, we’re surprised to say this, but the rumors were right. The One V is now available from Virgin Mobile for $200 unsubsidized. That’s an amazing price, especially when you consider that Virgin has an unlimited everything plan for $55 per month.

But would we recommend you get the One V? Unfortunately … no. Virgin Mobile is what’s known as an MVNO, meaning they’re using someone else’s network. In this case, they’re using Sprint, which has a horrible 3G network and incredibly spotty coverage. If you go with Straight Talk, another MVNO, but one that uses AT&T’s network, you can get unlimited everything for an even cheaper $45 per month. That’s $10 worth of savings, faster speeds, and better coverage. Most people keep their phone for 2 years, right? So take that $10/month savings, multiple it by 24 months, and you get $240. Add that $240 to the $200 you were thinking of spending on the One V and you end up with $440. That’s more than enough to pick up the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, which is currently going for $350.

As always, do your research before you buy a new device. Lots of companies want to make it seem like what they’re offering you is a bargin, but the reality is they’ll do and say anything to get your hard earned money.

We can’t stress this enough, the Galaxy Nexus at $349 is the bargin of the century.