Thinking about getting smartphone

[zCypher]

I was never particularly interested in them, but I was ignorant of their potential usefulness.

I'm somewhat confused. I spent some time reading and some time watching video reviews of various models, and I'm not any more decided.

I definitely want the phone to serve as a GPS. OS speed and stability is really important to me. I've had so many normal phones that were glitchy, this is one thing that makes me apprehensive about getting a smartphone. I don't want one that turns itself off by itself for no reason, doesn't work properly etc.

I realize they're not perfect, but I would definitely favor reliability, durability and stability over flashiness or popularity.

Though I do like a nice big touch screen, I prefer to also have the full qwerty. I use the LG Rumor right now which works perfect for the keyboard, but the damn thing turns itself off randomly (everyone else seems to have this problem too).

I have heard that some smartphones run out of memory really fast because the OS takes most of it - do not want.

I have looked at reviews for blackberry storm2, motorola milestone and several others. one of the blackberries, i forget if it was the storm2 or another one, has like a trackpad type thing instead of the ball, and even in the video review you could see it was starting to cave in.. like wtf?

What are your thoughts, if you have a smartphone, care to share your experience/opinions/suggestions?

if you've went from one to another, your comments would be highly appreciated -> like if you went from iphone to blackberry, or trackpad to trackball or vice versa, you get the idea...

 

[rudeguy]

I really like how HTC uses the trackball and touchscreen. The trackball comes in really handy if you want to edit a post/email.

I prefer Android devices. I've used Palm, BlackBerry, Nokia, Moto...basically every phone brand you can name except Apple. I use Google Nav all the time and have zero complaints. I'm sure there are people who do but I can only tell you about my experiences.

As far as the memory, I haven't heard of that in a long time. Not since the famous BlackBerry memory leak of '08.

Are you open to switching carriers or are you locked in a contract?

 

[AstroManLuca]

What country are you in?
What carrier(s) are you interested in?

These are very important questions because they narrow down your selection a lot. Since you mentioned the Motorola Milestone (non-US version of the Droid) I'm guessing you're in the UK or Canada or something. I don't know much about international carriers or phone selection.

One thing I will say is that if you want a fast phone, you should get a Nexus One, HTC Desire, HTC Incredible, or another phone with a Snapdragon processor. They have big screens too, so you can mount them in your car and use them as a GPS.

Also, don't get a BlackBerry Storm, it's a piece of shit.

 

[Muadib]

rudeguy has a point. Post the carriers you want.

 

[Pliablemoose]

IMHO, look for a device with Android 2.1 on it, very good integration of GPS/navigation (the only thing keeping me from selling my N1)

Your choice of carrier is important too...

 

[rudeguy]

IMHO, look for a device with Android 2.1 on it, very good integration of GPS/navigation (the only thing keeping me from selling my N1)

Your choice of carrier is important too...

I'll give you $50 for it.

 

[zCypher]

I'm in Canada, currently with Solo Mobile (reseller of Bell Mobility). My current plan costs $45 tax in and I get pretty much everything I need in that; I do have a contract but it will be over in a few months, so I am starting my research now.

Carriers like Bell Mobility, Rogers and Telus offer the widest range of phones. I would tend to stick with Bell or Telus, as I did use Rogers in the past and really didn't like that experience.

My current carrier doesn't have much in the way of smartphones, they offer the blackberry pearl, which looks ok but I don't particularly like the keyboard setup and it seems pretty outdated overall.

Fido does have some selection for smartphones, but I don't particularly like that carrier, I believe they were bought out by Rogers.

So basically it comes down to Bell or Telus, probably with preference leaning to Bell. These are the phones they are advertising at the moment: http://www.bell.ca/shopping/PrsShpWls_PrdClpListView.page

 

[Pliablemoose]

Samsung Galaxy.

 

[zCypher]

Samsung Galaxy.

Care to elaborate?

 

[Spicedaddy]

I'd go for an Android handset as well. If you want it now, the Milestone on Telus is a good choice. Bell doesn't offer anything interesting with Android, they're pushing iPhones and Blackberry 9700 right now. Rogers just got the Sony X10, but it's disappointing.

Wait a few months, there'll be a new iPhone, and I'm sure a few Android handsets as well. I'm on contract with Rogers until July, so I'm waiting to see what gets released this summer, hopefully we get some HTC phones like the Desire or HD2.

 

[Spicedaddy]

Forgot to say: If you go with Bell or Telus, make sure you get a phone that uses their 3G network, and not their old CDMA network.

 

[zCypher]

I'd go for an Android handset as well. If you want it now, the Milestone on Telus is a good choice. Bell doesn't offer anything interesting with Android, they're pushing iPhones and Blackberry 9700 right now. Rogers just got the Sony X10, but it's disappointing.

Wait a few months, there'll be a new iPhone, and I'm sure a few Android handsets as well. I'm on contract with Rogers until July, so I'm waiting to see what gets released this summer, hopefully we get some HTC phones like the Desire or HD2.

Yeah I have to wait a few more months anyway.

 

[zCypher]

Forgot to say: If you go with Bell or Telus, make sure you get a phone that uses their 3G network, and not their old CDMA network.

if I were to get a milestone or something similar, this would automatically use 3G, right?

 

[Pliablemoose]

Care to elaborate?

Whoops, didn't realize the Galaxy had different flavors...


I'd hold off just a bit and get a 1ghz cpu'd Android phone, or the new iPhone.

Do you have a grace period to return a phone in Canada?

 

[zCypher]

Whoops, didn't realize the Galaxy had different flavors...


I'd hold off just a bit and get a 1ghz cpu'd Android phone, or the new iPhone.

Do you have a grace period to return a phone in Canada?

I didn't know about the different Galaxy phones, I just meant if you could elaborate as to why you recommend the Galaxy.

I've never returned a phone, so I have no idea, will have to find out. I'm sure there must be a grace period of some kind.

I'm definitely not looking for an immediate purchase, though.

 

[notposting]

Well since you have time, definitely check out howardforums.com

Anyways I just got my first smartphone myself and it's an interesting exercise in getting used to them. Battery life is definitely shorter, sometimes the basics are forgotten, but I definitely love the little ah heck so far. But why wouldn't I? It's a friggin PC in my pocket ya know?!

*cuddles his Android*

 

[rudeguy]

Well since you have time, definitely check out howardforums.com

Anyways I just got my first smartphone myself and it's an interesting exercise in getting used to them. Battery life is definitely shorter, sometimes the basics are forgotten, but I definitely love the little ah heck so far. But why wouldn't I? It's a friggin PC in my pocket ya know?!

*cuddles his Android*

howard is a great place for getting very specific info...but those guys tend to be a bit nutty.

I agree in getting a 1gig Android phone or if you want Apple, the new iphone isn't a bad idea. Rogers is the Canadian ATT, right? Can you only use an iPhone on Rogers up there?

Either way...this summer is looking great for the phone market. Its normally near the end (when the kiddies go back to school) when the new phones and great deals come around.

This forum is great for mixed reviews, androidandme for Android news, Engadget for reviews of all kinds. Just keep an open mind and don't be afraid to go after what sounds good to you. Don't be put off by what that one guy in that one forum said. No phone is going to be loved by everyone.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

I would definitely pick up an android phone if you can. Lots of available apps. I don't think I could live without a qwerty keyboard though.

You could try to buy a transfer of liability for a sero plan on ebay. But then you'd have to pick up one of their smartphones and I think the best one you could get is the HTC touch pro 2. None of the android phones work on sero. The plan is pretty cheap though.

 

[notposting]

Yeah but they know their phones at Hofo Pretty smart and polite for the most part as well. But I'm sure each sub-forum has its own personality (like here).

That's another good recommendation though, find some phones you might like and start googling "phone name review". Phonearena has really nice reviews, good coverage. BGR is good too.

 

[DivideBYZero]

The BlackBerry track pad doesn't 'cave in'. Take a look at the 9700. Solid choice.

 

[Spicedaddy]

if I were to get a milestone or something similar, this would automatically use 3G, right?

Yes, the Milestone is 3G. The BB Storm, Tour, Palm Pre are CDMA.

The phone selection sucks in Canada right now. Everybody just wants to sell you an iPhone, BB 8520 or 9700. I'm getting tired of people showing me their 99$ iPhone 3G 8GB thinking it's a revolutionary device! It's a 2-year old phone, I don't care!!!

 

[zCypher]

I forget which one I saw where the 9700's thing looked like it was caving in , but it might have been this one : http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=XSvYmjrlQhA&feature=related

 

[DivideBYZero]

I forget which one I saw where the 9700's thing looked like it was caving in , but it might have been this one : http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=XSvYmjrlQhA&feature=related

Looks totally normal to me. I have a several 9700's and none of them have any build issues.

 

[zCypher]

Looks totally normal to me. I have a several 9700's and none of them have any build issues.

That's good. It definitely looks like it's sinking in though, the bottom left corner of the trackpad, I think the person reviewing it even mentions this. I guess it's not a big deal if it's normal and works fine.

 

[MJinZ]

I was never particularly interested in them, but I was ignorant of their potential usefulness.

I'm somewhat confused. I spent some time reading and some time watching video reviews of various models, and I'm not any more decided.

I definitely want the phone to serve as a GPS. OS speed and stability is really important to me. I've had so many normal phones that were glitchy, this is one thing that makes me apprehensive about getting a smartphone. I don't want one that turns itself off by itself for no reason, doesn't work properly etc.

I realize they're not perfect, but I would definitely favor reliability, durability and stability over flashiness or popularity.

Though I do like a nice big touch screen, I prefer to also have the full qwerty. I use the LG Rumor right now which works perfect for the keyboard, but the damn thing turns itself off randomly (everyone else seems to have this problem too).

I have heard that some smartphones run out of memory really fast because the OS takes most of it - do not want.

I have looked at reviews for blackberry storm2, motorola milestone and several others. one of the blackberries, i forget if it was the storm2 or another one, has like a trackpad type thing instead of the ball, and even in the video review you could see it was starting to cave in.. like wtf?

What are your thoughts, if you have a smartphone, care to share your experience/opinions/suggestions?

if you've went from one to another, your comments would be highly appreciated -> like if you went from iphone to blackberry, or trackpad to trackball or vice versa, you get the idea...

The Iphone is a good choice if you do not care about a lot of the more advanced features. AT&T data... mm....

Android is the best choice overall, but you may or may not like the phones available or it may not have an App you want or ... whatever the case may be.

The Moto Droid is a good balance of stability, RF reliability (which apparently plagues the Nexus One), and speed (not as fast as units like the Nexus One, unless you overclock it).

The Androids have superior GPS navs. Google Navigation will give you turn by turn directions by voice with street names.

Full Qwerty... I guess Moto Droid is the one for you.