Upgrade Time!

[SirStev0]

I can upgrade (I am re-upping my 2 year contract) and I was looking around at the different options for a phone. Don't know if this week is the week to do it or not but figure I would look at my options.

I don't want to spend more $70 and of course free is even better. Here are the choices I have for me:

Samsung SCH-u430 - Free (ori 50)
Sumsung SCH-u550 - Free (ori 50)
LG VX550 - Free (ori 100)
Nokia 2605 Mirage - Free (ori 100)
Blackberry Pearl 8130 Smart - Free (ori 120)
Nokia 6205 - Free (ori 120)
Motorola Adventure V750 - Free (ori 150)
Motorola MOTO VU204 - $30 (ori 80)
Motorola MOTO W755 - $40 (ori 90)
Motorola Krave ZN4 - $50 (ori 100)
Palm Centro Smart - $50 (ori 120)
Blackberry 8703e - $50 (ori 80)
Motorola Rapture VU30 - $70 (ori 120)
Samsung Alias SCH-u740 - $70 (ori 120)
Samsung Sway - $70 (ori 120)
LG Chocolate 3 - $70 (ori 140)


I appreciate any help at all. To be honest, I had sumsung's before and have really been turned off by them. Bad quality thus far, however, I don't know much about these and they may be pretty good.

I've heard good things about blackberry's, but I don't know about the pearl. The motorola adventure seems like a decent deal, but not really sure.

Thanks all.

(mods - if gadj and gear is more appropriate, my bad, please move)


UPDATE:
I decided I don't need a data plan, but I also don't want the lowest quality simple one. If anything, based on what I have heard thus far, I think I am going with the best quality Free one, which seems to be The LG v750.

2MP camera, rugged design sounds like I would be significantly less likely to break it, good quality build (from one of the other posters). All seems good to me.

Any of the other free ones seem to outshine that one?

 

[Newbian]

Don't expect a "free" phone since if you get one of those the contract will get you.

 

[SirStev0]

Originally posted by: Newbian
Don't expect a "free" phone since if you get one of those the contract will get you.

I am upgrading my phone plan for another two years. These are the prices and options they are giving.

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

We have a Gadgets and Gear forum for this, fyi. However, I'm a pretty big fan of BB's. My ex has a Pearl and she likes it. I personally don't due to the shared keys for texting. Other than that, it has basically all the same features as my Curve.

 

[SirStev0]

Originally posted by: Cdubneeddeal
We have a Gadgets and Gear forum for this, fyi. However, I'm a pretty big fan of BB's. My ex has a Pearl and she likes it. I personally don't due to the shared keys for texting. Other than that, it has basically all the same features as my Curve.

Yeah, I actually was just looking at that. Probably would be a better place to go. Mods can maybe move?

 

[HopJokey]

I actually got a Curve for "free" with 2 year contract. However a data plan is required (29.99/month) with the BB Curve and I don't believe it is required for the BB Pearl?

Are you getting a data plan or not?

 

[SirStev0]

Originally posted by: HopJokey
I actually got a Curve for "free" with 2 year contract. However a data plan is required (29.99/month) with the BB Curve and I don't believe it is required for the BB Pearl?

Are you getting a data plan or not?

I am not even sure if it is available in my area. I have a bunch of friends with the 3G- ability or whatever it is and they can't use it at all. If it is a waste, I don't really see the point in paying for it.

 

[se7en]

the chocolate is a piece of shit. I went through 2 of them losing ALL my contacts from both phones each time they had to be replaced. They were both lightly used for about a month they they died.

One the keypad went crazy and just started dialing on its own. The second would cut on/off at random on its own as well.

 

[SirStev0]

Originally posted by: Cdubneeddeal
We have a Gadgets and Gear forum for this, fyi. However, I'm a pretty big fan of BB's. My ex has a Pearl and she likes it. I personally don't due to the shared keys for texting. Other than that, it has basically all the same features as my Curve.

Like I tried to say, I am not really sure what the diff between one and another. I am going to a store today to play with a couple of them, but I really want to narrow them down a bit. Don't want to waste my time with sucky ones that just look good because they are overpriced or name recognition.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

If you get a Blackberry or several other phones, you're required to get a data plan. So unless you want shouldered with a $30 data plan for the next two years, I'd recommend against the BB.

That said, I recommend the Samsung SCH-u430 for a basic phone and the Blackberry Curve if you want a smartphone. I'd recommend the Touch Pro, but the VZW version is shit without unlocking and installing Manila 2D instead of 3D.

 

[SirStev0]

Originally posted by: se7en
the chocolate is a piece of shit. I went through 2 of them losing ALL my contacts from both phones each time they had to be replaced. They were both lightly used for about a month they they died.

One the keypad went crazy and just started dialing on its own. The second would cut on/off at random on its own as well.

In that case, for 70 dollars I would probably say they are out. To be honest, most of the ones I put up there were only because of name recognition due to commercials. Aside form what they tell me to try to sell them to me, I don't know much about any of them.

 

[tboo]

Blackberry Pearl 8130
Motorola Adventure V750
Motorola Krave ZN4
Samsung Alias SCH-u740
Samsung Sway
LG Chocolate 3

Right now I have the above phones sitting here on my desk plus a RAZR2 V9M, Verizon vx6900 & an LG vx8700.

Ive also tried & sold their KRZR & the Gleam

Here is my take:

I am selling the pearl because VZ wont let me activate it without an email/data plan. I do like its small size, though

The adventure is neat if you like rugged phones but it is very bulky. Its a typical well built Motorola

The Krave is very thick but Im still not sold on touch screens(not as quick to use as a keypad & they suck in the sun) The Krave also seems cheaply built for a Motorola

The alias doent really stand out for me. It might if i texted more, but I dont

I like the sway. Its well built, has a nice screen, very thin but its only 1x

The Chocolate 3 is nice. I like the big external screen & scroll wheel. It does seem cheaply built, though.

The phones I use the most are the sway & the V9m(nice solid build, thin, & great external display). The vx8700 also gets a lot of use(another nice solid built phone).

 

[SirStev0]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
If you get a Blackberry or several other phones, you're required to get a data plan. So unless you want shouldered with a $30 data plan for the next two years, I'd recommend against the BB.

That said, I recommend the Samsung SCH-u430 for a basic phone and the Blackberry Curve if you want a smartphone. I'd recommend the Touch Pro, but the VZW version is shit without unlocking and installing Manila 2D instead of 3D.

anyway to tell which ones would need the data plan and what exactly it actually involves. Kinda sounds like another charge they aren't going to tell me about until I am just about to click send payment.

What does it even mean/cover?

 

[tboo]

Originally posted by: SirStev0

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
If you get a Blackberry or several other phones, you're required to get a data plan. So unless you want shouldered with a $30 data plan for the next two years, I'd recommend against the BB.

That said, I recommend the Samsung SCH-u430 for a basic phone and the Blackberry Curve if you want a smartphone. I'd recommend the Touch Pro, but the VZW version is shit without unlocking and installing Manila 2D instead of 3D.

anyway to tell which ones would need the data plan and what exactly it actually involves. Kinda sounds like another charge they aren't going to tell me about until I am just about to click send payment.

What does it even mean/cover?

These older smart/pda phones dont require a data plan:

Palm Centro
Motorola Q9m/Q9c
Palm Treo 700w/wx
Samsung SCH i760 -
Samsung SCH i830
VZW SMT 5800
VZW XV 6800 -
VZW XV 6900
VZW PN ? 820

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

Originally posted by: SirStev0

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
If you get a Blackberry or several other phones, you're required to get a data plan. So unless you want shouldered with a $30 data plan for the next two years, I'd recommend against the BB.

That said, I recommend the Samsung SCH-u430 for a basic phone and the Blackberry Curve if you want a smartphone. I'd recommend the Touch Pro, but the VZW version is shit without unlocking and installing Manila 2D instead of 3D.

anyway to tell which ones would need the data plan and what exactly it actually involves. Kinda sounds like another charge they aren't going to tell me about until I am just about to click send payment.

What does it even mean/cover?

I think it's mainly the Blackberry's that require the data plan. Could be all smart phones but I'm not certain. If you've ever thought about Sprint, data is included in their plans.

 

[SirStev0]

Originally posted by: tboo
Blackberry Pearl 8130
Motorola Adventure V750
Motorola Krave ZN4
Samsung Alias SCH-u740
Samsung Sway
LG Chocolate 3

Right now I have the above phones sitting here on my desk plus a RAZR2 V9M, Verizon vx6900 & an LG vx8700.

Ive also tried & sold their KRZR & the Gleam

Here is my take:

I am selling the pearl because VZ wont let me activate it without an email/data plan. I do like its small size, though

The adventure is neat if you like rugged phones but it is very bulky. Its a typical well built Motorola

The Krave is very thick but Im still not sold on touch screens(not as quick to use as a keypad & they suck in the sun) The Krave also seems cheaply built for a Motorola

The alias doent really stand out for me. It might if i texted more, but I dont

I like the sway. Its well built, has a nice screen, very thin but its only 1x

The Chocolate 3 is nice. I like the big external screen & scroll wheel. It does seem cheaply built, though.

The phones I use the most are the sway & the V9m(nice solid build, thin, & great external display). The vx8700 also gets a lot of use(another nice solid built phone).

Rugged might actually be a good thing as I tend to beat up phones a little bit. I am somewhat considering a smartphone as many of my fellow classmates use them (I am in med school and eventually something with PDA-like abilities is going to become a necessity), but as I am in the middle of West Virginia, actually getting 3G capablity and utilizing all the features might seem like a waste.

This whole data plan thing doesn't make much sense to me. It seems like they are trying to sell an internet connection for 30 bucks a month through your phone? Is that correct? Don't most phones already have the ability to do limited internet stuff for a fee anyway?

 

[SirStev0]

Originally posted by: Cdubneeddeal

Originally posted by: SirStev0

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
If you get a Blackberry or several other phones, you're required to get a data plan. So unless you want shouldered with a $30 data plan for the next two years, I'd recommend against the BB.

That said, I recommend the Samsung SCH-u430 for a basic phone and the Blackberry Curve if you want a smartphone. I'd recommend the Touch Pro, but the VZW version is shit without unlocking and installing Manila 2D instead of 3D.

anyway to tell which ones would need the data plan and what exactly it actually involves. Kinda sounds like another charge they aren't going to tell me about until I am just about to click send payment.

What does it even mean/cover?

I think it's mainly the Blackberry's that require the data plan. Could be all smart phones but I'm not certain. If you've ever thought about Sprint, data is included in their plans.

My choices are verizon, AT&T, or US Cellular. I am in kind of a bumblefucky area of West Virginia and tend to be told I am roaming a lot with verizon the way it is. I don't think I know anyone who has sprint at all.

 

[sswingle]

Originally posted by: Newbian
Don't expect a "free" phone since if you get one of those the contract will get you.

Uh...plan pricing doesn't change regardless of what phone offer you get, or if you provide your own phone even. The only exception being the phones that require a data plan.

 

[mb]

I got a VX8360 for free as an upgrade.. it's a great phone, I really like it. Are they still offering it? If so, that's what I'd suggest.

 

[Turin39789]

palm pre

 

[SirStev0]

Originally posted by: mb
I got a VX8360 for free as an upgrade.. it's a great phone, I really like it. Are they still offering it? If so, that's what I'd suggest.

They were offering verizon brand phones (I think that is what you mean) but I didn't list them because the verizon brand seemed like generics to me... I could be wrong though.

 

[SirStev0]

Originally posted by: Turin39789
palm pre

?

 

[mb]

Originally posted by: SirStev0

Originally posted by: mb
I got a VX8360 for free as an upgrade.. it's a great phone, I really like it. Are they still offering it? If so, that's what I'd suggest.

They were offering verizon brand phones (I think that is what you mean) but I didn't list them because the verizon brand seemed like generics to me... I could be wrong though.

The VX8360 is made by LG. It's got excellent battery life for a CDMA phone, and the call quality is top notch as well.

 

[SirStev0]

Originally posted by: mb

Originally posted by: SirStev0

Originally posted by: mb
I got a VX8360 for free as an upgrade.. it's a great phone, I really like it. Are they still offering it? If so, that's what I'd suggest.

They were offering verizon brand phones (I think that is what you mean) but I didn't list them because the verizon brand seemed like generics to me... I could be wrong though.

The VX8360 is made by LG. It's got excellent battery life for a CDMA phone, and the call quality is top notch as well.

Just checked, and unfort it is out of my price range. A good phone is important to me, but budget is top priority right now.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

A data plan provides an internet connection to your phone. This allows you to browse the web, use instant messaging, use map services etc. etc. For an additional fee, you can also use your phone to provide an internet connection to other devices through your phone. This works well for being able to link your internet to your laptop or netbook no matter where you are as long as you got a cell phone signal.

All current smartphones require a data plan along with all blackberrys. Phones requiring a data plan are:

HTC Touch Diamond
HTC Touch Pro
Palm Centro
Samsung Omnia
Samsung Saga
VZW SMT5800
VZW XV6900

If you dont need data than the Samsung SCH-u430 is your best bet in a basic flip phone.