Downgrading to a phone that does NOT require a data plan

At my local AT&T store I was told, more than once, that in order to get a much cheaper phone plan I would need to drop the data plan, give up the IPhone since it requires a data plan, and go to a Messaging phone such as the Pantech Ease

What would be one of the best choices for a "Messaging phone"??

Is there another type of phone which does NOT require a data package but not be simply a "Messaging" phone?

Thanks very much.

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You can go with the tried and true Blackberrys, but some require a data plan. I often visit EXPANSYS and look over their offerings,found alot of great phones on there for a good price.

If AT&T recognizes that the phone is a BlackBerry, the BlackBerry Internet Service data plan will be added. There are several candy bar and flip phones not requiring data plans. Purchase a cheap GoPhone, add your SIM card and call Customer Service from the phone to drop the iPhone data plan. If you attempt to use the iPhone again, the data plan will be added back to the line. If you are still under contract, the ETF will be based upon the phone to which you upgraded and not the phone you are currently using.

I know this is an old post, but will reply anyway. I've had the Pantech Ease P2020 for over two years now. It is a great Messaging/texting phone. Durable too. The slider keyboard feels like the day I bought it. I've dropped it a bunch of times and don't baby it. The screen is durable too. Only one 3 mm small scratch and it competes with change, car keys and any number of metal objects I may have in my pocket. ATT considers this a non-smart phone and doesn't require a data plan. You can pay $10 extra/month and get basic browsing for it too. No videos or other high bandwidth stuff, but you can pull up regular web pages, etc. Good for basic surfing when you need to look something up, etc.