cellphones.. how do i know whats good and what works w/ my provider?

[jcmuse]

i'm with sprint atm, using their free sanyo POS phone. i'd like to get a new phone, but their offerings are limited. I've read about unlocked phones that can be used w/ any provider. Where can i purchase these phones and what are some recommended phones? i just read about samsung coming out with a google phone that supports google search, maps, and mail.

of course, above all what i'm looking for is something that will get good / quality signal.

btw, i am not particularly looking for:
- music playing capability
- camera (all thought it would be nice)

i would like:
- to be able to check my gmail easily
- to be able to lookup stock quotes easily
- to be able to browse web

 

[Semidevil]

from what I know, someone correct me if I"m wrong.

only gsm phones are unlocked, meaning most gsm phones can be used with different providers(T-mobile, Cingular). You just switch the sim card and you good to go. Also depending where you live, your phone might be required to have the 850mhz if you are using cingular.

in your case, with sprint, these phones are CDMA. These phones are locked foreover to sprint. Because they are cdma, they cannot be used with other providers that use GSM.

CDMA phones cannot be unlocked and sprin or verizon will NOT accept phones from the outside world.

so in summary, if you are on tmobile or cingular, you are welcome to buy phones online and use them freely(just make sure that it is gsm and pay attentionto the bands).

if you are on sprint, verizon, you are stuck with phones from their store.

sucks i