Cell Phone Advice: Flip vs. Non-flip

[nd]

I've avoided cell phones forever it seems, but the time has finally come that I need to get one.

Since I've never owned one before, I'm wondering what your opinions are about flip phones vs. normal ones. Flip phones seem nice because they can fit in your pocket, though some people complain about always having to flip it open just to see the display for whatever.

 

[Rallispec]

the touchpoint1100 like i have has a little screen on the outside part of it, so when flipped closed you can see who's calling still.. its a nice feature.

i like flip phones becuase then you dont have to worry about buttons being accedentally being pushed while its in your pocket

 

[loup garou]

Yeah, the main disadvantage to most flip phones is you have to open it to see the caller ID. Of course, several manufacturers make them with LCDs on the outside AND inside....ingenious!



<< i like flip phones becuase then you dont have to worry about buttons being accedentally being pushed while its in your pocket >>


That's why non-flip phones have a keyguard feature.

 

[pyonir]

i like my flip phone. i have a Samsung 3500 and i can see the display when it is closed. besides how hard is it to just flip it open. i also like a phone that comes down to more than just my cheekbone when i put it to my ear...ya know. like Ralli said too, protects the keys, and i don't have to hit a two button combo or whatever to turn off keyguard.

 

[ElFenix]

i have a half flip phone, where only the keypad is covered by a little piece of flip down plastic. ergonomics and interface-wise, i think its one of the best designed phone ever. i think my battery is starting to eat it though, i wonder if there are any more available. its a sprint dual band touchpoint. and they don't make them anymore.

 

[Kelvrick]

Bah, I don't like the flip. I like the slide. Say it with me now, ssssllliiiiiiiddeeeee.

 

[nd]

<< rather worry about what service to get (i recommend ATT) and what functionality the phones have.. >>

True -- although in my particular situation I'm not at liberty to choose the service. I'm going to be on a shared minutes plan with Sprint PCS.

Thanks for the opinions, guys.

 

[pyonir]

<<

<< rather worry about what service to get (i recommend ATT) and what functionality the phones have.. >>

True -- although in my particular situation I'm not at liberty to choose the service. I'm going to be on a shared minutes plan with Sprint PCS.

Thanks for the opinions, guys. >>


<---has had Sprint PCS for over 3 years...NEVER had a problem.

 

[KingNothing]

I'm on Sprint PCS too and I just bought the Samsung N200. Apparently this phone won a Consumer Reports "best buy". Take that for what you will. It's a flip phone, sort of like my previous phone, the Motorola Timeport (like a StarTac). The Timeport was a clamshell design though, whereas this one just has a plastic piece which covers the keypad (not the menu, clr, joystick, or screen) and serves as the earpiece. One problem I've had with this phone is I'll go to open it one-handed (opening the phone answers the call no matter what) but my finger will slip, the flip will close, and I'll hang up on the caller. My timeport could be set to not answer when you opened the phone. Given that any non-flip phone will have a key-guard feature, I think I'd rather have one of those. I leave the keyguard set on this phone all the time anyway to prevent the little buttons on the side from changing the ringer from vibrate to noisy when the phone's on.

The only advantages I can think of on a flip-phone are 1) you don't have to remember to turn keyguard on and 2) the flip might keep dust out of the keys. Neither of those are biggies, though.

edit: oh, and the vibrator on this phone isn't very strong, unlike my timeport. If it's in my pocket sometimes I don't feel it vibrating. If you keep it in the beltclip it's not a problem though.

 

[edc03]

i have a motorola flip phone. i recommend the flip b/c i hated having to lock my phone when i had the I phone. the fact that i have to open up my phone is not a problem b/c you're going to have to unflip to talk in the phone anyways right? i also... the best part is... how cool is it to get off the phone with someone by simply closing it. i think it's cool. hehe.

and also, i seriously do think you have to worry about service plans too. for sure cingular sucks A*S. i have verizon and i love it. i hear sprint is pretty good to as you will be having...

GET FLIP

 

[RossMAN]

<< <STRONG>edit: </STRONG>oh, and the vibrator on this phone isn't very strong, unlike my timeport. If it's in my pocket sometimes I don't feel it vibrating. If you keep it in the beltclip it's not a problem though. >>



That's one of a few complaints I have regarding the Samsung N105, otherwise it's a great, small, stylish phone. Unfortunately the vibrating isn't nearly as strong as my Nokia 6190 was.

 

[aceO07]

Advantages for flip phone:
1. No need to worry about keylock.
2. Screen won't get scratched up.
3. Opening up with one hand is just cool.

Advantages for non-flip phone:
1. Smaller (?)

Edit: I have a StarTac 7868 and I love it. I like how it's just the right length when it's open. The new smaller non-flip phones just seem too short. I also like how I get a text message every morning for the weather..

 

[nord1899]

I am on my second phone. My first was a Nokia 6160 using ATT. This is a non-flip phone. My current on is a Samsung T300 which is a half-flip phone (that is the keypad is covered by a flip, but unlike the N200 the flip does not act as the earpiece).

Anyway, my view is that the flip is so much nicer. Answering phone calls can be so much easier, just open the flip if you set it that way. One drawback to this is, at least with the T300, is that you still have to hit end to ignore the phone call, which involves opening the flip. Also, to terminate anything, by anything I mean a call, a SMS message, 6 levels deep in the menus, all you have to do is close the flip. To lock the keypad, just close the flip.

With the non-flip, you have to set the keyguard. And I was able to turn off the keyguard multiple times when the phone was in my pocket (carpenter style jeans, knee pocket). When the flip is closed on this phone, no buttons work. So you don't have to worry about changing the ringer volume or something like that.


As to recommendations for the Sprint PCS Service. Check CNet for reviews. They have pratically all the Sprint phones reviewed. And they are fairly accurate. I personally use Verizon and don't like Sprint that much, but you appear to be forced onto Sprint, so I'll try to help you out.