I have a workable suggestion..
Go to Amazon and Google Play and look at the prices and available software you might want and can imagine using.
Go to the Apple store and do the same.
Be ready, if you don't play silly games, stream movies and music, none of these people don't care about you at all. I used mine for business, it managed a phone line and six email accounts (on three servers - note to HRC). It kept logs and client accounts. The only software that was expensive was the WiFi tether. (10$ - forever, not VZ 30$/mo)
Just owning a smart phone on Verizon will cost 30$/mo (not including the wifi tether). Are you sure you want that. At least their coverage is decent.
I am one of those tech savvy people that hates to get stuck in a proprietary anything, so my choice was simple.
Matt