It frustrates me too. I'm on Verizon as well and had the same problem when I got my new phone. I eventually got a Casio, which is nice, but I much prefer smart phones--but making you have a data plan stinks, because I don't really want all that fancy stuff, just the smart phones are better in quality.

Yes, I noticed that trap when I was looking for a new phone this summer. See, I wanted a data plan, but the phone I was eyeing required unlimited data plan... so I ended up going for one with just the limited one. (It was only $10 a month for me, but I'm also on a family plan, so...)

But yeah, they do try to sneak that charge in on ya. I guess it's better than AT&T, but if you were looking to switch carriers, I'd go with US Cellular, if it covers your area. [/shameless plug]

On the other hand... a phones a phone. If it can make and recieve calls, does it really need to do more?

The phones I was looking at required a $10/mo data plan until about last month, when it suddenly went up to $15. I could handle $10, I have a job now, but $15 is just asking too much.

I would also have to be careful about not going over the data limit. I'd be much better off with an iPod Touch in that case, except be limited to wifi areas. (I know I said I got one from a friend a while back, but long story short he needed to borrow it, so who was I to refuse?)

As far as a phone being a phone, I like a full QWERTY keyboard, a good camera (for my journalism efforts where I forget my real camera but phone quality will be ok), and a music player is always nice. I was looking at one phone with 1.3 megapixels. Sheesh, get with the times. Nothing goes below 3 anymore, and they usually have 5. (One even had 8!)

-CF