Cell phone question

I am thinking of geting DH a new cell phone for father's day....we have Nextel / sprint service now and they said if I upgrade the phone, It will start a new 2 year contract with them, which I do not want to do

If I just buy a phone somewhere else (not through sprint), how will it work? Will he be able to use that new phone with our existing plan?

TIA

Re: Cell phone question

To use a phone with an existing plan - you need to get the phone through the same provider you have. Even if you go to a store like Radioshack, you are still going through the service provider.

Can you possibly pay more for the phone instead of signing another 2 year contract? I'd suggest that or going with another carrier (that will probably make you sign a 2 year agreement as well).