New phone help needed

[eodeo]

I'm about to buy a new cell phone and I clearly need help. I'm very glad to see that this tech site has a place for these topics too. I have 7 points I'd like my future phone to have. I value performance/function over gimmicks/looks and I dont care about the brand.

1. I want this phone to connect to my PC via USB cable, be recognized a mass storage device so I can freely copy my files from whatever program I care to choose- back and forth.
2. I need a music player that allows me to search for a song by name- and than play it. Unlimited playlist creation and their easy manipulation. (i use winamp on my win7 pc, if anyone cares.)
3. I want to play my divx/xvid encoded avi movies. I'd prefer phones that have players that pause the video on single tap/click and can jump to any point of a movie easily. mkv/h264 playback is a bonus.
4. the device should have 3-4" screen. the higher resolution the better, and a standard 3.5mm audio jack.
5. ability to type text as unobstructed as possible. Obviously I'd like a full qwerty keyboard, but thats not gonna happen in 3-4" segment I want. So I need your advice.
6. ability to read and preferably write to "doc" and maybe even "docx" file formats (word). powerpoint read/write a bonus. At the very least ability to read/write some sort of a textual file I can later use on my PC.
7. I need this device to be a phone, so I can make and receive calls... obviously. skype/msn live are bonus.

I dont care one bit about my space, face book and other tweets. I'd just like to be able to browse the web from the phone's WiFi connection and read my gmail, but that doesn't seam to be that unreasonable request I think.

Preferably this device would be around 300euros/ 400$. I plan to buy the phone and dont care for any service providers or their benefits- as I dont live near enough to take advantage of them as I live in Serbia, eastern Europe.


Treat me as complete newbee when it comes to phones and advise me on important things I should look out for and care about, but I dont know yet.

Thanks!

 

[gorcorps]

I'm confused about #5. What do you mean unobstructed? The keyboards are pretty much all on-screen these days. There's a few Android ones that have hardware keyboards, but they're rare and also quite dated. So are you saying you want a hardware keyboard with physical buttons? As that limits your choices a lot.

Anyway, any Android device with a 3.5mm jack with satisfy all those with some apps. I'm unsure what phones are offered in your country, but I would personally look at the Samsung Infuse. The screen is a tad larger at 4.5, but if you plan on watching videos on it that would be good. You'd also have more screen that the keyboard wouldn't take up, so there's that. It has a decently large battery compared to other phones which is a plus for Android.

 

[Mopetar]

If the physical keyboard is a big deal, the Droid series of phones have physical keyboards.

Another decent option may be an n900, if you're familiar with Linux/Unix and essentially want a computer in your pocket.

Other than that, what carrier are you using? This can make a big difference in the options that you have.

 

[Dulanic]

If the physical keyboard is a big deal, the Droid series of phones have physical keyboards.

Another decent option may be an n900, if you're familiar with Linux/Unix and essentially want a computer in your pocket.

Other than that, what carrier are you using? This can make a big difference in the options that you have.

Yeah was gonna say driod or epic both have keyboards and can do pretty much everything you want. Most come with office software, but worst case Documents to Go is a great option too.

If you use Winamp on your PC, Winamp on android will sync wirelessly so you can just copy playlists.

For videos you have your choice of a dozen different video viewers.

 

[s44]

If the physical keyboard is a big deal, the Droid series of phones have physical keyboards.

There's no such thing as a "Droid" in Europe. Nor is the Infuse sold outside of North America. It's true that Serbia's 2100 3G & 900/1800 2G allows most AT&T and T-Mobile phones to be imported there -- in case he wants to buy one on Swappa or something -- but these certainly won't be local options.

Any Android can meet the listed requirements. Samsung phones are better at playing video formats out of the box -- I suggest the Galaxy S or (if you can afford it) the new Galaxy SII. However, if you want a physical keyboard, the HTC Desire Z is probably your best bet.

 

[eodeo]

I dont know if i want physical keyboard or not. I never used touch screen to any meaningful extent, so I dont know if I want it. I'm hoping you can tell me. I'm all for new tech as long as it works. I want to get a phone that works fine with its input method. I read at some reviews that the "keyboard" is bad for that particular phone. While other reviews say that keyboard is fine on some other phone, but some user comments suggest otherwise. I dont know what to make of that.

From your answers it appears that phone OS is best left android. I kinda figured as much. From price and online reviews, I somewhat narrowed the choices i have:

Motorola MILESTONE
Motorola DEFY
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10
Samsung S5560 Marvel
Samsung S8003
HTC Wild Fire
Acer S100 Liquid
Nokia n8

Of course, I'm willing to accept more recommendations.

I'm curious what you guys think on Motorola phones vs HTC wild fire for exampe, as wild fire gets all the praises, but has 2x lower resolution and slower CPU and uses the same android. I'm rather confused there.

From specs alone Motorola phones seam to be the best option, but I dont know what to think. One of them has even the physical keyboard for 20eu more. Definitely worth it.... if I need it.

As for carriers, they do not matter, as I will buy the phone in Dubai and bring it back home- much more affordable that way... trust me

 

[Pliablemoose]

Oops, any gsm android phone with a keyboard...

 

[boomhower]

May want to take a look at the HTC W7 phone that has a hardware keyboard if there is a European version of it.

 

[Dulanic]

The upside with android is that you can change the touch keyboard. I am sure you can find one you will like.

I have a hard keyboard on mine because I thought I could never do without. However, I find I never use it.

 

[eodeo]

"I have a hard keyboard on mine because I thought I could never do without. However, I find I never use it."

What model of the phone do you have?

I have an option to get iphone 4 for 300eu/400$. I know its leading the way, but is it true that I have to use itunes for all file transfers to and from iphone? Is it really as bad as that sounds?

 

[DefDC]

"I have a hard keyboard on mine because I thought I could never do without. However, I find I never use it."

What model of the phone do you have?

I have an option to get iphone 4 for 300eu/400$. I know its leading the way, but is it true that I have to use itunes for all file transfers to and from iphone? Is it really as bad as that sounds?

This. I had a Samsung Omnia before I got my first Android. I had a very simialar want list as you. I also swore my next phone would have a hard KB.

I received a Droid/Milestone for free. Since I have big fingers, the hardware KB is worthless. I make more typos on it than I did on screen. Swype is great. I love it.

In fact, most people think they want a KB, but find they can make the switch to on screen quickly and never give the hardware KB a second thought. 4.3"+ screens make it that much easier for people with big fingers.

If you want to stick with KB, a Milestone 2/3 is probably the way to go, if you want to stay in the 3"/4" range. It satisfies all your requirements.

If you want a bigger screen, there are more compelling options. In the States, I'm still waiting for the Bionic. Not sure what it's name will be outside the US.

 

[gorcorps]

"I have a hard keyboard on mine because I thought I could never do without. However, I find I never use it."

What model of the phone do you have?

I have an option to get iphone 4 for 300eu/400$. I know its leading the way, but is it true that I have to use itunes for all file transfers to and from iphone? Is it really as bad as that sounds?

Yes. Itunes is clunky and terrible, and if you plan on loading up videos/music often then you will be frustrated by it. Once you start loading things from one computer you can't ever try to load things from a 2nd computer or it'll try to erase everything you have on your phone first (it warns you before it does it).

I have an iphone but I'm sick, sick, SICK of itunes. Yes there are programs and workarounds for it, but I still haven't found a reliable alternative to itunes that handles music, movies, AND apps properly.

 

[eodeo]

Yes. Itunes is clunky and terrible, and if you plan on loading up videos/music often then you will be frustrated by it. Once you start loading things from one computer you can't ever try to load things from a 2nd computer or it'll try to erase everything you have on your phone first (it warns you before it does it).

Well, if it warns me, where do I sign up?!

But seriously... why is iphone so popular? Do people really only use one computer and dont care for movies/music they have on their phone... I guess I just dont have the mental capacity to understand the Mac crowd. If anyone could dumb that down for me, I'd be happy to read about how iphone is great. I really would.

You all have me convinced that I dont need a physical keyboard. I do type alot on my current phone. Its an old nokia 3110c with t9 keyboard with multiple language recognitions including serbian and english. I find it a pleasure to use. I'm hoping that my new phone would be at least as good for typing. Ofc, nothing beats a full qwerty, and I'm normally using my ms natural keyboard...

Anyway, back to phones- I was looking into xperia x10 as its the best hardware phone on my list and I saw on sony ericson site it can be updated to android 2.2, it seamed perfect with 4" screen and..... well everything I wanted, but it doesnt have pinch zooming. Am I too greedy for wanting that option too at 300eu/400$?

As for 4"+ screens. I never owned that big a phone. I'm scared that even a 4" would be too big...

 

[Anubis]

will the Galaxy S2 work over there?

 

[obidamnkenobi]

will the Galaxy S2 work over there?

The GS2 is on sale several places in Europe by now (damn you slow/controlling US carriers!). A buddy in Norway got it so if they have it in that backwater place it should be everwhere by now.. Might be a tad expensive though, think it goes for $600-800

As far as i know "all" of europe use the same GSM bands too.

 

[s44]

But seriously... why is iphone so popular?

Marketing/brand recognition. Most people -- even most iPhone owners -- have literally no idea what they're missing.

Are you sure you can't get a Galaxy S or something? Most of the phones on your list are pretty dated and wouldn't fetch $400 new on eBay. Heck, you can get a secondhand Atrix for $400 on Swappa.

 

[gorcorps]

Marketing/brand recognition. Most people -- even most iPhone owners -- have literally no idea what they're missing.

Are you sure you can't get a Galaxy S or something? Most of the phones on your list are pretty dated and wouldn't fetch $400 new on eBay. Heck, you can get a secondhand Atrix for $400 on Swappa.

That, and Apple struck first in the "user friendly" casual smartphone market. I originally went with the iphone 3g because there was no Android at the time (barely even a mumble about it) and because Windows Mobile was god awful, and BB wasn't as slick as I wanted.

Most people also had ipods already, so the idea of having the ipod on your phone was appealing to many. One device to rule them all as it were. With each phone and iOS revision they've also added many features they used to get guff for missing, so now it's nearly complete. It also remains to be the smoothest experience with by far the best touchscreen response. I've used several android devices with several different versions of Android on it, and none of them are nearly as smooth as the iPhone. Even with Opera, the only Android browser to utilize the GPU, it always felt "off". For most people who never used an iphone you wouldn't think anything of it, but it most definitely is clunky in comparison.

So it just depends what you want. If you want your phone experience to be smooth at the expense of clunky PC sync and controls then you have iPhone. If you want PC usability and customization at the expense of some smoothness, then there's Android. There's no reason we can't have both, but so far we haven't seen the best of both worlds.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I guess I just dont have the mental capacity to understand the Mac crowd.

And the Mac crowd doesn't want to expend the mental capacity to understand the complexities of most computing devices. Hence Macs exist.

The system works for that crowd because (unlike us) they usually only have one computer.

As for 4"+ screens. I never owned that big a phone. I'm scared that even a 4" would be too big...

Depends on the size of the bevel. My iPhone seems larger than a friend's Atrix despite the much smaller screen because of the bevel.