Help me choose a cheap unlocked WM phone

Project86

Golden Member
Nov 12, 2002
1,001
3
81
I'm not really a phone geek anymore. I used to be; I owned the sprint NeoPoint 1000, which had to be one of the first "smartphones" around. Anyways, I am a bit of an abnormal user so I'll just list all my requirements. This upgrade is by necessity, not choice, as my Cingular 2125 is about dead.

-I'm tied to Windows Mobile due to the Outlook calendar sync. Don't try to talk me out of it unless some other OS can easily sync with Outlook calendar. I'm not a huge fan of WM but it's a necessary evil.

-I don't do online stuff at all. Don't even have a data plan (shocking I know). I'm still on my old pre-Cingular AT&T plan which is way cheap compared to what is available now.

-I'd like built in GPS but I also have a bluetooth GPS unit laying around so it's not a big deal.

-I prefer physical keys to a touch screen but that is also debatable. I owned and enjoyed an HTC Prophet which is just touch screen, and it was OK.

-The smaller the better, within reason.

-Responsiveness is always nice. I'm so sick of that TI OMAP850 200mhz cpu that many of my old phones used. It's just too slow for WM.

That being said, does anyone have a good suggestion for a cheap unlocked phone that I should look for? I see a few on Ebay that look OK, but nothing spectacular. They all seem to have downsides. LG Incite, Asus P527 and P320, etc. I've considered the China knock off HTC models, but decided against them because the reliability is suspect. Any ideas? The 2125 and 3125 were some of my favorites, but when you find those for sale they are all beat up.
 

Chapbass

Diamond Member
May 31, 2004
3,147
96
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Hmmm, its not AT&T, but if you are up for verizon/sprint, I have an HTC 6800 that I'll be selling in about three weeks (getting an n900). Unlocked, flashed right now to winmo 6.5, but I can always put it back if you want.

LMK if you're interested :)
 

gorcorps

aka Brandon
Jul 18, 2004
30,739
454
126
FYI, most smartphones these days sync with outlook. Not sure about Palm, but the iPhone and Blackberries both sync. I'm pretty sure Android does too.
 

secretanchitman

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2001
9,352
23
91
FYI, most smartphones these days sync with outlook. Not sure about Palm, but the iPhone and Blackberries both sync. I'm pretty sure Android does too.

absolutely right. dont think you are limited to just windows mobile smartphones either. if you can get a decent blackberry or even an iphone, they will sync just fine with outlook :)

OP, what is your price range?
 

uli2000

Golden Member
Jul 28, 2006
1,257
1
71
Also, most carriers now (though it's easier w/ AT&T) dont allow smartphones w/o data plans anymore. If you buy a subsidised smartphone from the carrier, count on being required to keep the data plan. I dont have AT&T, but I believe if you get a phone they carry and you dont have a data plan, they will see you are using a smartphone by your IMEI and will add it to your account. Best bet would be buy something unlocked and just switch in your old sim.