Recommend me a phone and/or plan

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Inspect Your Gadgets > Recommend me a phone and/or plan

Godzilla07: Oct 4, 2008

CancerCakes posted:

* Country/Provider: UK Vodafone

* Current contract status: Finishes Tomorrow

* Budget (phone/plan): http://shop.vodafone.co.uk/shop/catalog/voicePlanDetail.jsp?skuId=sku300023 �25 per month plan, reduced from �35. 600 mins, unlimited texts. Looking to get it reduced from 18 months to 12 months since I plan to stay with Vodafone.

* Features I know I want: Good camera, my digital camera broke around a month ago and I want something that can come close to replacing it. Also durability is a major factor here, something that doesn't mind being dropped would be nice. Ease of texting is a bonus, I have heard that a lot of the touch screen phones I am looking at are not so good for that.

The phones I am looking at are:

Nokia N96
Samsung Omnia
LG Renoir (although currently not availiable on vodafone)
Staying away from sony ericsson, had two of them previously and I hate the charger design, among other things.

So which of these is durable but has a good enough camera and flash to match(ish) my old 5mp digital camera.

I wouldn't mind being able to use it as a true PDA aswell, do anyof these have handwriting apps like palms?

Thanks for any help!

The N96 actually has a worse camera than the N95. The Omnia's camera is about as good as the N95. It's a shame that you don't want Sony Ericsson because the C905 is the best cameraphone on Vodafone's lineup. The Renoir also has a nice camera. I would go with the Omnia because I hate T9 for text entry. But if not and you can't stand Windows Mobile, go with the N96.

# ? Feb 8, 2009 19:49

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# ? Apr 24, 2024 21:35

idolmind86: Jun 13, 2003; It's better to burn out than to fade away.

It's even better to work out, numbnuts.

Country: US, East Coast
Provider: Currently T-mobile, would like to change, bad service in my local area and my contract is up in two days.
Budget: Initial budge I'm open to, would like to stick to under 100 a month for service.

Features:
This is where I need some help. I'm a software developer and find myself needing to check/respond to email on the weekends/vacation/whatever from time to time. I also would like to be able to vpn into my work network if necessary. I'm really leaning toward an iphone because just about all of my friends have them and I don't know anything about blackberries or anything else for that matter. I guess my question is if there is something else out there that would be better for professional type use.

Also, this will be my primary phone so actual call quality is paramount. Will be texting heavily too so a full keyboard (or touch screen) would be nice as well.

What other phones are out there that will let me set up my email, vpn, remote desktop, and look at porn when I'm bored?

# ? Feb 8, 2009 19:57

Xaiter: Dec 16, 2007; Everything is AWESOME!

Country: US, East Coast\Mid-West
Provider: Currently Sprint
Budget: <$250 monthly
Features: I just need around 2000 minutes a month, two lines. Just talk time. No internet, no texting, nothing. My brother and I don't really use that stuff.

And don't recommend staying with Sprint.

# ? Feb 9, 2009 05:26

Dr Tran: Dec 17, 2002; HE'S GOT A PH.D. IN
KICKING YOUR ASS!

Xaiter posted:

Country: US, East Coast\Mid-West
Provider: Currently Sprint
Budget: <$250 monthly
Features: I just need around 2000 minutes a month, two lines. Just talk time. No internet, no texting, nothing. My brother and I don't really use that stuff.

And don't recommend staying with Sprint.

You could get a 2-line family plan on T-Mobile or at&t for half that monthly price.

# ? Feb 9, 2009 06:33

900ftjesus: Aug 10, 2003

Xaiter posted:

Country: US, East Coast\Mid-West
Provider: Currently Sprint
Budget: <$250 monthly
Features: I just need around 2000 minutes a month, two lines. Just talk time. No internet, no texting, nothing. My brother and I don't really use that stuff.

And don't recommend staying with Sprint.

If you call a few numbers a lot, you could get a T-Mobile myFaves plan with fewer minutes, and you'd get unlimited calling to 5 numbers for each line you have.

If you call a lot from home, still go with T-Mobile and you can get fewer minutes and a phone that supports their @Home routers. The Nokia 6301 is cheap, and you'd have unlimited calling to anyone from home.

Check this page for plans/minutes:
http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/Cell-Phone-Plans.aspx?catgroup=Family-Time-cell-phone-plan&WT.mc_n=Family_PlanFirstTile2&WT.mc_t=OnsiteAd

If you don't want to stay with Sprint, T-Mo will be the cheapest carrier for what you want.

# ? Feb 9, 2009 06:36

jackpot: Aug 31, 2004; First cousin to the Black Rabbit himself. Such was Woundwort's monument...and perhaps it would not have displeased him.<

Country: US, East Coast
Provider: Currently Sprint, but ok with switching
Budget: ~$70 monthly

My Sprint plan ends in May and I have no problem switching if it means a good deal. Need about 300 minutes/month, ~600 texts. Would love something with the ability to install cool 3rd party apps, unlimited internet poo poo, touchscreen a bonus. Looks-wise I'm digging the Verizon XV6900 but it gets lovely reviews and I'm not sure I'd like the absence of an actual keyboard. Basically I'm in love with the iPhone but throw up at the thought of paying for one. Do I have any options at my price level?

Alternatively (since I think the answer to the above is likely a resounding "no") I'm liking the Samsung M520 - thoughts?

# ? Feb 9, 2009 20:32

900ftjesus: Aug 10, 2003

jackpot posted:

Country: US, East Coast
Provider: Currently Sprint, but ok with switching
Budget: ~$70 monthly

My Sprint plan ends in May and I have no problem switching if it means a good deal. Need about 300 minutes/month, ~600 texts. Would love something with the ability to install cool 3rd party apps, unlimited internet poo poo, touchscreen a bonus. Looks-wise I'm digging the Verizon XV6900 but it gets lovely reviews and I'm not sure I'd like the absence of an actual keyboard. Basically I'm in love with the iPhone but throw up at the thought of paying for one. Do I have any options at my price level?

Alternatively (since I think the answer to the above is likely a resounding "no") I'm liking the Samsung M520 - thoughts?

Sprint Everything Data plan is $70/month. That is unlimited data, unlimited text, Sprint Nav (turn-by-turn GPS directions), and 450 Minutes. Verizon will charge you somewhere around $90-100/month for that.

I'd suggest the Touch Pro (keyboard) or Diamond (no keyboard) if you want a Windows Mobile phone, the XV6900 is old now, much better stuff is available.

# ? Feb 9, 2009 20:53

jackpot: Aug 31, 2004; First cousin to the Black Rabbit himself. Such was Woundwort's monument...and perhaps it would not have displeased him.<

900ftjesus posted:

Sprint Everything Data plan is $70/month. That is unlimited data, unlimited text, Sprint Nav (turn-by-turn GPS directions), and 450 Minutes. Verizon will charge you somewhere around $90-100/month for that.

I'd suggest the Touch Pro (keyboard) or Diamond (no keyboard) if you want a Windows Mobile phone, the XV6900 is old now, much better stuff is available.

I'm afraid to fall in love with this phone, gorgeous as it is. I've been hitting sites throughout the day, sometimes logged in and sometimes not, and I've currently got one Sprint window open showing this phone at $474 (gently caress), and another showing it at $200 (yay). My history with Sprint tells me that $200 deal isn't for me, but I'll keep my fingers crossed. Thanks.

When you say $70, is that including fees, i.e. is that what my bill would be, or just where it starts?

# ? Feb 9, 2009 22:19

brc64: Mar 21, 2008; I wear my sunglasses at night.

jackpot posted:

I'm afraid to fall in love with this phone, gorgeous as it is. I've been hitting sites throughout the day, sometimes logged in and sometimes not, and I've currently got one Sprint window open showing this phone at $474 (gently caress), and another showing it at $200 (yay). My history with Sprint tells me that $200 deal isn't for me, but I'll keep my fingers crossed. Thanks.

When you say $70, is that including fees, i.e. is that what my bill would be, or just where it starts?

It's $69.99 before taxes and surchages. I'd guess probably closer to $80 after.

It gives you everything he said, plus Sprint's nights start at 7pm instead of 9pm on Verizon, so that's potentially more free minutes depending on your usage.

# ? Feb 9, 2009 22:37

jackpot: Aug 31, 2004; First cousin to the Black Rabbit himself. Such was Woundwort's monument...and perhaps it would not have displeased him.<

Ok, I should've expected that. Alright then, if I'm looking at around $80 a month for this phone, and an iPhone appears to be around $85 (plus fees) per month, am I crazy in figuring that the iPhone isn't really that much more expensive?

I'm not really trying to talk myself into it...yet.

# ? Feb 9, 2009 22:55

brc64: Mar 21, 2008; I wear my sunglasses at night.

jackpot posted:

Ok, I should've expected that. Alright then, if I'm looking at around $80 a month for this phone, and an iPhone appears to be around $85 (plus fees) per month, am I crazy in figuring that the iPhone isn't really that much more expensive?

I'm not really trying to talk myself into it...yet.

The comparable plan on AT&T looks like:
$30/mo for data
$39.99/mo for 450 anytime / 5000 night and weekend minutes
$20/mo for unlimited txt

Which comes to $89.99/mo before taxes. It's the texting that really gets you. If you don't want a texting plan with the iPhone, the plan cost is the same as Sprint, but you pay $0.20 per message.

# ? Feb 9, 2009 23:00

Steinbeck: Apr 6, 2008

jackpot posted:

Ok, I should've expected that. Alright then, if I'm looking at around $80 a month for this phone, and an iPhone appears to be around $85 (plus fees) per month, am I crazy in figuring that the iPhone isn't really that much more expensive?

I'm not really trying to talk myself into it...yet.

A lot of this boils down to your time of day or txt usage--Sprint overall gives more for less.

Example: Lowest iPhone plan is 39.99 for 450 Nation minutes, 5000 night and weekend with rollover. Requires a $30.00 a month data plan. No texts are included. "Nights" also start later, at 9 pm.

Txt plans are $5 /200, $15 / 1500, $20 / Unlimited.

It's a great device, but most users do pay more as an overall premium to use it.

# ? Feb 9, 2009 23:08

wolrah: May 8, 2006; what?

Overbite posted:

I also looked at a LG CU500 but I heard the mp3 ringtones were limited to 600kb which is extremely tiny.

For something coming out of a cell phone speaker it doesn't need to be high bitrate. I've fit half a song on mine without problems and could probably lower the bitrate more without noticing for a full song. If you want more than a 15-30 second clip as a ringer you're an idiot anyways. It's a ringtone, not a jukebox, and the rest of the world hates listening to it.

# ? Feb 9, 2009 23:10

Comfortador: Jul 31, 2003; Just give me all the 3ggs_n_b4con you have.

Wait...wait.

I worry what you just heard was...
"Give me a lot of b4con_n_3ggs."

What I said was...
"Give me all the 3ggs_n_b4con you have"

...Do you understand?

Alright I'm looking for advice. My contract with sprint is up in 8 days, and I'm trying to figure out what my best plan of attack is.

I like Sprint, but if the grass is greener I'll consider another company.

My work gets me a 22% discount on pretty much any of the main service co., and the plan is to get a nice phone and get the Everything Data plan if I stick with Sprint.

I'm trying to decide if I want something like the Instinct, or a blackberry or something. I want a good internet browser, but I'm also interested in things like GPS, MP3 playing perhaps (if I don't get an ipod)

I'm also hearing that the Palm Pre that's coming out is supposed to kick rear end. Should I just wait a little to see if that's nice, or is there something out now that will satisfy me?

Thanks for your input.

# ? Feb 10, 2009 04:40

Technowrite: Jan 18, 2006; I first battled the Metroids on Planet Zebes.

I'll be switching to AT&T in about two weeks since it's my fiance's provider and I know our calls will be free mobile-to-mobile.

I'm looking to get an iPhone, but I have a question about maybe making a family plan with her. We've looked at the numbers, but our usage differs greatly. My job sort of requires me to be in a state of constant connection, but hers doesn't. I enjoy texting, but she only really texts me. Is a family plan even viable for us since she doesn't want our bill to be $150 a month? I'm thinking our own separate accounts will work until we get married in the fall.

My research shows me the cheapest texting plan with 200 texts probably won't cut the mustard for me, but would probably work for her and I'm afraid of going over on minutes with only a shared 550.

Any help?

# ? Feb 10, 2009 17:33

Fastbreak: Jul 4, 2002; Don't worry, I had ten bucks.

To extend from my other post, I am still stuck on the Xperia Vs. The HTC touch pro. Both seem great, but I can't find a place anywhere where I can demo either just to get the feel and see how they work. So I have to trust you guys.

Any real life experience someone can mention for both to help me decide that I didn't find on google?

# ? Feb 10, 2009 21:30

Godzilla07: Oct 4, 2008

Comfortador posted:

Alright I'm looking for advice. My contract with sprint is up in 8 days, and I'm trying to figure out what my best plan of attack is.

I like Sprint, but if the grass is greener I'll consider another company.

My work gets me a 22% discount on pretty much any of the main service co., and the plan is to get a nice phone and get the Everything Data plan if I stick with Sprint.

I'm trying to decide if I want something like the Instinct, or a blackberry or something. I want a good internet browser, but I'm also interested in things like GPS, MP3 playing perhaps (if I don't get an ipod)

I'm also hearing that the Palm Pre that's coming out is supposed to kick rear end. Should I just wait a little to see if that's nice, or is there something out now that will satisfy me?

Thanks for your input.

Sprint does not any 4.6 BlackBerry so the web browsing is going to suck. I would wait for the Pre in your case. If you need a phone now, then get the Touch Diamond (no keyboard) or Touch Pro (keyboard). Both are good devices with good web browsers (Opera Mobile 9.5).

# ? Feb 10, 2009 23:44

Elder Postsman: Aug 30, 2000; i used hot bot to search for "teens"

Godzilla07 posted:

Any AT&T smartphone will require you to get a $29.99 data plan. The Incite sucks anyways because of Windows Mobile.

The Samsung Eternity is $149 AR. It has a good camera. But you'll be paying $199 at the store. If you don't want to go with the Eternity, then go with the Sony Ericsson W760. It's better than the Shine. The W760 should be fine for your girlfriend also but the Shine is an alternative also.

Cool, thanks! Just ordered an Eternity for myself an a W760 for my girlfriend.

# ? Feb 11, 2009 04:06

Sobriquet: Jan 15, 2003; we're on an ice cream safari!

First of all, thanks in advance to anyone that helps or even bothers to read this! Some phones I have looked at so far are Blackberry Curve 8320, Pearl 8120, and some of the HTC touch models.

Country/Provider: US/AT&T - I'm also hoping to use this phone in Germany with prepaid SIM for three months, unless there is a better/cheaper way to have a phone there.

Current Contract Status: I'm on an AT&T Family plan. At the store they said I am eligible for "upgrade pricing" (I assume this is for contract renewal) in March. My parents manage the plan, and will likely renew the contract when it runs out. Assume I have no control over this.

Budget: I would like to spend $300 or less on the phone, including unlocking it if I need to. I don't know what the exact pricing on our plan is - right now I have no data service but we all have unlimited texting. I assume unlimited data will add about $30/month to the plan and I can accept that.

Features:
I want a PDA or "smart" phone. The OS doesn't really matter to me, but I would like access to email/Google calendar/internet. WiFi would be a big plus.
Right now I have a Nokia 6030, so I have no experience with any phone keyboards - this means I am open to a full QWERTY, a small-form keyboard, or a touch screen. I like the idea of a touch screen because they seem to be smaller/thinner but just as functional (I'm thinking of Touch Diamond vs Touch Pro here). I tend to prefer "candy bar" phones over flippers and twizzlers.

I am willing to go with a slightly older or used phone to save money. I do not care about watching video or taking pictures, but some cheap built-in camera would be a bonus.

Sobriquet fucked around with this message at 05:39 on Feb 11, 2009

# ? Feb 11, 2009 05:36

Godzilla07: Oct 4, 2008

Sobriquet posted:

First of all, thanks in advance to anyone that helps or even bothers to read this! Some phones I have looked at so far are Blackberry Curve 8320, Pearl 8120, and some of the HTC touch models.

Country/Provider: US/AT&T - I'm also hoping to use this phone in Germany with prepaid SIM for three months, unless there is a better/cheaper way to have a phone there.

Current Contract Status: I'm on an AT&T Family plan. At the store they said I am eligible for "upgrade pricing" (I assume this is for contract renewal) in March. My parents manage the plan, and will likely renew the contract when it runs out. Assume I have no control over this.

Budget: I would like to spend $300 or less on the phone, including unlocking it if I need to. I don't know what the exact pricing on our plan is - right now I have no data service but we all have unlimited texting. I assume unlimited data will add about $30/month to the plan and I can accept that.

Features:
I want a PDA or "smart" phone. The OS doesn't really matter to me, but I would like access to email/Google calendar/internet. WiFi would be a big plus.
Right now I have a Nokia 6030, so I have no experience with any phone keyboards - this means I am open to a full QWERTY, a small-form keyboard, or a touch screen. I like the idea of a touch screen because they seem to be smaller/thinner but just as functional (I'm thinking of Touch Diamond vs Touch Pro here). I tend to prefer "candy bar" phones over flippers and twizzlers.

I am willing to go with a slightly older or used phone to save money. I do not care about watching video or taking pictures, but some cheap built-in camera would be a bonus.

The BlackBerry Bold would be the best phone but it's $399 before the $150 mail-in rebate. The Samsung Epix seems like the device for you. It has Wi-Fi, a front-facing QWERTY and touchscreen. The camera isn't good but it's a cell phone camera. The Epix is $299 out the door and there's a $100 mail-in rebate.

# ? Feb 12, 2009 01:12

jackpot: Aug 31, 2004; First cousin to the Black Rabbit himself. Such was Woundwort's monument...and perhaps it would not have displeased him.<

Can I expect any leeway from Sprint in regards to longtime-customer discounts? For instance if I login to the website (I'm nearing the end of a two-year contract, I think I get my $150 discount starting March 1) and go searching for upgrades, the Touch Diamond (God I want this phone) is showing something ridiculous like $475. If I hit the site without logging in, however, it's $199 for new signups thanks to all the rebates and savings. Am I hosed, or if I bitch and moan to the right people can I get the same deal?

900ftjesus posted:

If she insists on a flip, get a used m610 off eBay. I still have mine, it's a great dumbphone.

It's funny, I've got an m610 and love mine too, and even at ~3 years old I still have people asking me "What kind of phone is that?," thinking it's something new and state of the art. And it's neither, it's just really, really thin.

# ? Feb 13, 2009 07:10

brc64: Mar 21, 2008; I wear my sunglasses at night.

jackpot posted:

Can I expect any leeway from Sprint in regards to longtime-customer discounts? For instance if I login to the website (I'm nearing the end of a two-year contract, I think I get my $150 discount starting March 1) and go searching for upgrades, the Touch Diamond (God I want this phone) is showing something ridiculous like $475. If I hit the site without logging in, however, it's $199 for new signups thanks to all the rebates and savings. Am I hosed, or if I bitch and moan to the right people can I get the same deal?

I don't know exactly how Sprint works, but it was my understanding that the $199 price was for new 2 year agreements *or* 2 year agreement renewals (after rebates, etc). I could be wrong, though.

# ? Feb 13, 2009 15:17

jackpot: Aug 31, 2004; First cousin to the Black Rabbit himself. Such was Woundwort's monument...and perhaps it would not have displeased him.<

I hope you're right, and that's what I'm going to push for, I just remember in the past getting screwed because Sprint had more interest in getting new customers than keeping old ones, and so gave them better prices. That was before you could leave and take your number with you, though, so I'm guessing (hoping) now they're more willing to work to keep me.

# ? Feb 13, 2009 15:44

SamuraiPaul: Oct 9, 2005; Blowin' up da moon.

I'm going to try to go cell phone shopping today and was hoping I could get some advice, I kind of don't want something like an Iphone or a blackberry, but might be convinced

Country/Provider: South Eastern United States
Current contract status: I have no contracts, but my current phone uses Verizon under my parents plan.
Budget (phone/plan): I'm looking to hopefully buy the phone for less than 200 dollars and then have my plan be about 50-70 dollars a month for just me.
Features I know I want: I know I want unlimited texting (AIM/GTalk Would be great!), Qwerty Keyboard, Durability (able to fly about in a pocket full of change and pens)
Features I want but are not deal breakers: I'd like just enough web to looks up driving directions and possibly gps so that If I'm out with friends and we want to find something I just have to put in a search and then we can follow my phone to destination (so an unlimited data plan would be good too)

# ? Feb 14, 2009 17:49

waspinator: Oct 18, 2004; by Y Kant Ozma Post

I'd say go with T-Mobile and a G1. New contract will make the phone 180$, and you can set up your bill to be around 70$ a month with unlimited data/text and 300 mins or so. Plus, the phone is awesome. Just pick up a skin and screen cover to take care of that investment. I'd also recommend getting a car charger.

I was in almost the exact position as you except I was coming from no plan or phone whatsoever, and I love my plan/phone with a BURNING PASSION.

waspinator fucked around with this message at 15:21 on Feb 15, 2009

# ? Feb 15, 2009 15:05

SamuraiPaul: Oct 9, 2005; Blowin' up da moon.

yea, I believe we just started getting t-mobile in SC, too. I think I will look deeper into it. wouldI be able to buy the phone from somewhere like amazon and then start my plan with t-mobile? or would it be best for me to just go to the nearest t-mobile store and start talking to them?

# ? Feb 15, 2009 15:31

waspinator: Oct 18, 2004; by Y Kant Ozma Post

I'd go to the nearest store. As far as I know without a new service plan the phone is 400$, with a plan, 180$

# ? Feb 15, 2009 15:46

dahkren: Jan 11, 2006

# Country/Provider: Canada / Telus PAY+GO currently

# Budget (phone/plan): Around $50/mo, phone- maybe 400ish tops. Don't really want a three year contract.

# Features I know I want: GOOD Mobile IM client(AIM Specifically). Web browsing, qwerty keyboard.

# Phones!: I've looked at the iPhone a bit, it hasnt really grabbed me much and the keyboard seems kind of a hassle (maybe it just takes practice, though?). Also thought about unlocking a HTC Fuze. Any other suggestions?

# ? Feb 16, 2009 01:15

Geop: Oct 26, 2007

Country/Provider:
Houston, TX USA.

Current Contract Status:
AT&T/Cingular. On a family-share plan.

Budget:
Pretty flexible, honestly. Not sure what I'd be looking at for this, but I could easily spring $100+ per month if I enjoy using this.

Features:
Internet browsing, e-mail capabilities, probably texting as well I guess.

So for a bit of backstory/reasoning here to help show what I'm talking about here: I am getting a career change. Was doing offshore and am now moving in to Houston. I don't make active use of my cell outside of talking to family or friends at present, but if I were in an office environment, I would use it to browse the internet when things are dull, without the worries of some IT goon staring at my history and going "WHAT IS THIS 'SOMETHING AWFUL' :mad:

" Plus, I wouldn't mind being able to access Google Maps on the go! Another neat thing would be the ability to tap in to internet radio on it and use an earbud to listen whilst working.

One last thing that irks me is that when I stayed at an apt joint in Houston a couple years back, I couldn't buzz someone in (gated apt complex) due to my area code. Evidently, you can't buzz in someone at the gate unless your phone is of the local area code. At least in most of the places I've seen and heard of. Plus, it seems odd to be living in Houston permanently and having an area code from a hundred miles away.

Anyhow. I am also on a family share plan at present. It costs my folks $10 and if it saves me doing $100 a month for something I rarely used, I was fine with that (I was gone over half of the year typically. It seemed like a waste of money to do a full plan). I am using AT&T/Cingular, but have no qualms with switching over.

Additionally, I am looking in to a new phone. I have a wonderful clamshell that is a roughly four year-old model. Battery life has typically been a big seller to me (hence this present phone), but if I want to browse the internet in down-time or look at Google maps, this would be a waste. I am thinking either a top-end Blackberry model or an iPhone 3G. I've been reading reviews, but can't get a definite winner either way. I have heard, though, that the iPhone makes for easier net browsing (although I am not too keen on a fully touch-screen interface, I might get used to it).

So to summarize: I'd like to look in to a do-all plan (internet, texting, long-distance if that's an issue nowadays, and a fair number of minutes. I'm no chatterbox on the phone, but I'd like a good buffer. A very rare "busy" day would be an hour on the phone maximum). with a provider in the Houston area. Also, I am trying to decide on either iPhone or Blackberry. Any recommendations or good reviews? Or testimonies?

Much oblige, goons.

Geop fucked around with this message at 20:22 on Feb 16, 2009

# ? Feb 16, 2009 18:36

SamuraiPaul: Oct 9, 2005; Blowin' up da moon.

waspinator posted:

I'd go to the nearest store. As far as I know without a new service plan the phone is 400$, with a plan, 180$

Welp. the one thing that worries me is that T-Mobile in my town only has a three bar coverage rating, we live close to the interstate though, so we get ok coverage, but I wonder if even using 3G with them would be slow. We have At&t and Alltell stores in our town and that's really it, I don't know if having a provider that has an office close by is good or not.

Also the G1 looks like a great phone but it's kind of overkill for what I want. I was kind of hoping I could find a flip phone that could do that stuff.. but it looks like there's no such luck.

# ? Feb 16, 2009 20:06

parasyte: Aug 13, 2003; Nobody wants to die except the suicides. They're no fun.

Country/Provider: AT&T in California

Current contract status: Unsure. This is my girlfriend's phone and she's on her family's plan, not interested in getting her own contract as she's not currently making enough.

Budget (phone/plan): Around $150 at most

Features I know I want: None. It's not really important what it has. Currently she has a lovely RAZR that is behaving abnormally in all sorts of ways and I want to get pretty much anything better for her. Looking for something cheap that'll work with her SIM and have bluetooth, which I imagine any reasonably recent GSM phone will have.

She's not too keen on a candybar or a slider.
I was thinking of something like this, but if anyone has any other suggestions I'm all ears.

# ? Feb 16, 2009 21:05

Godzilla07: Oct 4, 2008

parasyte posted:

Country/Provider: AT&T in California

Current contract status: Unsure. This is my girlfriend's phone and she's on her family's plan, not interested in getting her own contract as she's not currently making enough.

Budget (phone/plan): Around $150 at most

Features I know I want: None. It's not really important what it has. Currently she has a lovely RAZR that is behaving abnormally in all sorts of ways and I want to get pretty much anything better for her. Looking for something cheap that'll work with her SIM and have bluetooth, which I imagine any reasonably recent GSM phone will have.

She's not too keen on a candybar or a slider.
I was thinking of something like this, but if anyone has any other suggestions I'm all ears.

Sony Ericsson flips are good choices such this. You can also go with a Nokia such as this. Both of them are a bit fat (23mm thick for the Nokia, 24 for the Sony Ericsson.)

# ? Feb 17, 2009 00:59

jeeves: May 27, 2001; Deranged Psychopathic
Butler Extraordinaire

Are there any better revisions of the G1 in the pipe line?

I don't like the G1's little curve at the bottom. It doesn't let it sit nicely in my pocket.

# ? Feb 17, 2009 03:14

butterthatbacon: Sep 1, 2006; mmmmm.

Hey, I'm on verizon and with NE2 I can get a Storm for $100, or an omnia for free, or any of the last generation blackberries for free.

I want web and email, and if the media experience can be about, say, 75% as easy as it is with my ipod, then i'll make it my primary music device. If no phone can do that then media is a non-issue and i'll stick with two devices. Thoughts on which one i should go for?

# ? Feb 18, 2009 10:35

Steinbeck: Apr 6, 2008

jeeves posted:

Are there any better revisions of the G1 in the pipe line?

I don't like the G1's little curve at the bottom. It doesn't let it sit nicely in my pocket.

Yes the G2 aka HTC Magic (ugh). It's pretty great looking but sadly Korea's High-Tech Computing still thinks you want a special adapter to listen to music w/ a set of 3.5mm headphones.

# ? Feb 19, 2009 08:44

Steinbeck: Apr 6, 2008

butterthatbacon posted:

Hey, I'm on verizon and with NE2 I can get a Storm for $100, or an omnia for free, or any of the last generation blackberries for free.

I want web and email, and if the media experience can be about, say, 75% as easy as it is with my ipod, then i'll make it my primary music device. If no phone can do that then media is a non-issue and i'll stick with two devices. Thoughts on which one i should go for?

Anything but the Storm. Really.

# ? Feb 19, 2009 08:45

insidion: Oct 26, 2004; I'm an evil wizard who just mastered the secrets of space-time... or something!

I posted this in the G1 and Android Application Megathread but I figured I should post here as well since I might get a more robust response and a better suggestion.

insidion posted:

I'm contract-phobic since I never use the phone as it is, but I really like the idea of having access to my emails and possibly doing development for a device like this. I would pay a reasonable monthly price for access to the internet everywhere, and I know some cell companies offer pure data plans. Also the Wifi would solve my times when I really needed a phone by allowing me to use skype lite in the near future, which is my primary phone.

Basically i'm looking for a phone that supports VOIP Skype, like Fring and unlike Skype lite which requires minutes. Also, I would need a data only or minimal minutes plan to keep the cost down that would also support VOIP or alternatively have WiFi so that I could use Skype while near hot spots.

Android does not currently support Fring, but if there were another way I would be very interested in a G1 dev phone which runs about $425 and is unlocked.

Any suggestions on phone and plan to do this? I am fairly open to price but my interest wanes when the phones are higher than $500 and the plans are higher than $45 a month.

insidion fucked around with this message at 16:57 on Feb 19, 2009

# ? Feb 19, 2009 16:52

Godzilla07: Oct 4, 2008

Steinbeck posted:

Anything but the Storm. Really.

It's really "pick your evil." Go with the Storm which has SurePress which absolutely sucks to type with or Windows Mobile. Resistive touchscreens suck compared to capcitive. I would rather go with the Storm. It is getting better with OS updates. You can't fix Windows Mobile with OS updates.

# ? Feb 19, 2009 17:54

SamuraiPaul: Oct 9, 2005; Blowin' up da moon.

Ok, I've come to the conclusion that the smart phones are still too pricey per month and some don't have every single feature I would desire if I were to get one (except the G1 but I'm going to wait for their to be at least 4 or 6 phones that use Android before I decide to go that route)

So what I'm going to do is get a regular flip phone, possibly from nokia..

I was looking at the Nokia 6600 Fold on PhoneScoop.com and it seems to have all the features I'd like to see in a dumbphone but it's not available in the US at all. Is there a good, (possibly) cheaper phone that I might want to check out? and what are the best plans to go with when you're getting a phone like this, Right now I'm considering only T-Mobile or At&t as providers.

# ? Feb 19, 2009 18:11

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# ? Apr 24, 2024 21:35

dont be mean to me: May 2, 2007; I'm interplanetary, bitch
Let's go to Mars

SamuraiPaul posted:

Ok, I've come to the conclusion that the smart phones are still too pricey per month and some don't have every single feature I would desire if I were to get one (except the G1 but I'm going to wait for their to be at least 4 or 6 phones that use Android before I decide to go that route)

So what I'm going to do is get a regular flip phone, possibly from nokia..

I was looking at the Nokia 6600 Fold on PhoneScoop.com and it seems to have all the features I'd like to see in a dumbphone but it's not available in the US at all. Is there a good, (possibly) cheaper phone that I might want to check out? and what are the best plans to go with when you're getting a phone like this, Right now I'm considering only T-Mobile or At&t as providers.

As far as Nokia flips that are worth anything and can be had in the US go, you might try either the 6555 or the 6650. Either one will land you with AT&T though.

The 6555, however, has enough complaints about signal quality and battery life that it's probably endemic. I'd skip it.

The 6650, on the other hand, holds its own, and has GPS and HSDPA, and secretly carries a smartphone OS (S60 3rd edition FP2).

Of course, if you're not particularly tied to Nokia, or the 6650 doesn't feel right to you, you could always try looking for what you need on GSMarena.

For T-Mobile: 4 3G options, of which only the Sony Ericsson TM506 has fast 3G or GPS.

For AT&T: 11 3G options, 8 with HSDPA, but only the Samsung Rugby or the aforementioned Nokia 6650 (which for some reason doesn't have its NA variant listed on the site, even though AT&T shows it just fine) with GPS.

(I didn't include non-3G options because A) there's way too many of them and if you're going to do that you now have the tools and the phones are the same for either one, and B) 2009 is far too late to go buy a phone with just basic GSM unless you need a new phone now and price is your overriding or even sole concern.)

Unfortunately, none of the useful choices look like they can be had without going through the carrier (although you could always pay the extra money to get them off-contract).

There is an alternative - buy a smartphone separately and bring it to your carrier. Since you're looking at AT&T or T-Mobile you can actually do this, and in most cases the carriers will only charge the basic-phone monthly rates for bolt-ons (eg. unlimited data). If you were willing to elaborate on your issues with the smartphone market we might be able to find something that works for you. If you do go down this road, for either one you have to be careful, since both AT&T and T-Mobile use non-standard and mutually incompatible 3G bands. If you're going for AT&T look for 850/1900 3G (you might get away with just 1900, but not just 850), and if T-Mobile look for either 1700 or 1700/2100 (2100 alone won't do). You'll still need 850/1900 GSM (2G) as a fallback for either one.

dont be mean to me fucked around with this message at 19:12 on Feb 19, 2009

# ? Feb 19, 2009 19:03

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Inspect Your Gadgets > Recommend me a phone and/or plan

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