What is the best cell phone service for the money - in your opinion?

My first cell phone was through Virgin Mobile. The price was right, but the phones were terrible. I switched to Boost Mobile a few years ago. Again, the price is right, the signal is a bit better, and the phones are better as well, but they could be better.

I just got a new smartphone, a Kyocera Hydro. I love the phone, but it keeps freezing up. I returned one, thinking it was a defective phone, but the new one is doing the same thing. I looked on the Boost site at their different phones, but it seems this is a problem for most of their phones. I’m not sure if I should just deal with it or switch to a non-prepaid service.

So, in your experience, what cell service has the best bang for your buck? I’m not willing to pay $100/month to have a cell phone, but a good data package is important. I text and surf the web way more than I talk on the phone, so I’d need less than 500 minutes per month of talk time. I like Android phones because of he apps, but I’m open to other phones as well. Good service is important to me. Money is probably the most important factor, though. I know that Verizon has great phones and great service, but the people I know that have it pay wayyy too much for it. I know Verizon has prepaid phones, but I hear they’re awful.

Any thoughts?