Apple usually nails it. With all the control they have on their product they still have the most intuitive, simple & elegant system out there. The products just work and Apple is still the gold standard for smart phones.

Unless you're going to tether your phone to a computer or pad you probably won't be using a lot of data ( just a guess ).

Our phones are Iphone 3GS, jailbroken and unlocked working on T-mobile without a contract (monthly). We have a low data plan and it works great. I can't think of anything that could be better. If we start traveling in the states we could up the data plan and tether it to a computer for internet access through the phone as a USB modem.

You can find a good Iphone 3Gs for about $300.00, jailbreak and unlock it and do a monthly on T-mobile with data and your styling.

my 2c worth.