Is Boost Mobile still a practical option for cell service?

I've had Boost Mobile for several years now. I signed up because I never really got into the smartphone thing and I just needed a phone for texting and calling. Boost offered unlimited service for $50/month which was a pretty good deal back then when you used to have to sign up for a 2-year plan and still pay $80/mo.

These days it seems the big providers are all moving towards that same trend, offering unlimited text/talk as well as some data packages for about the same price. Boost Mobile has compensated for this by lowering their own prices--I now pay only $35/mo. for the same service. However, I'm starting to feel as if I could be more productive with a smartphone, using their nifty apps to do nifty things. I would still probably not even need a data plan, but it would be nice to browse the internet in a WiFi hotspot.

So my question is, can I get similar service for a similar price? I don't see myself paying more than $50/mo. and unlimited talk/text is mandatory. Which providers can offer this deal, and which ones have the best phones? I'll go ahead and say right now that I won't get an iPhone, because no one should pay $400 for a phone.