please help me decide on a provider and phone

[Havocbean]

Hey there everybody, I'm new here, so bear with me a bit
I dont have a cell phone, or a provider, nor have I ever had one.
I dont want a contract, as I am a student and probably couldn't afford to be locked into something for 2 years. I'm looking for something thats 20-35ish a month.. I really like the idea of MetroPCS, it was just added in my area. I really dont like their phone selection though.. I've heard of people buying newer phones and having metro convert it, or unlock it, or something.. like buying a Razr from ebay, and then having it work on MetroPCS.
I'm not really set on a phone service yet, or a phone.. but I'd like a camera phone. Maybe one of you vets could help me out in this area, here's what I'm looking for:
Camera Phone
Cheap Service without being locked into a plan

And if I was to go with MetroPCS, what kind of phone should I look for if I was to buy it used? CDMA, GSM? I'm kind of a newb, so don't burn me to bad for this post :P
Thanks a ton,
-Havocbean

[Bourn Identity]

Well metroPCS is currently offering the RAZR V3c. Now you said your area recently got metroPCS, so I'm guessing you live in Detroit or Dallas. Both offer the RAZR at around $300-$320 with the first month included. Their plans are as follows:

$30/mo. - Unlimited local minutes and thats it

$35/mo. - Unlimited local minutes and eligible for additional features(Caller ID, Voicemail, Messaging, etc.)
$40/mo. - Unlimited local and long distance minutes

$45/mo. - Unlimited local and long distance, unlimited text messaging, unlimited picture messaging, caller id, call waiting, enhanced voice mail and 3-way calling

The other camera phones offered are Motorola V266, Audiovox 8910, Nokia 6235i and coming soon Motorola e815. No contract, no credit check and no activation fees....what more do you need!

[roberts1953]

Ceck out Jump Mobile JumpMobile.com
They are pretty limited in coverage, just like cricket, but offer some cheap plans. If they serve your area they are very reasonable.

Free incoming calls, 10 cents/min outgoing
Unlimited free text mssg In and Out

$15: unused portion expires in 15 days
$25: unused portion expires in 25 days
$35: unused portion expires in 70 days
$50: unused portion expires in 100 days

The $50 card comes out to $15/month with unlimited incoming and 150 min as the cheapest minimum monthly average. Of course you could talk up to 350 min out with Free Incoming and still be within your $35 budget. Plus this is pretty flexible with reasonable expirations for the longer cards.