Why is picking a new phone so difficult

coolred

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2001
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I know every person is different, so there is no phone that is perfect for everyone. But when I read reviews of a certain phone, for example, the samsung glyde. I get very mixed reviews. One say it has an awesome web browsing experience, the other will call the web browsing sub par.

I Don't think I am overly picky in what I want. I was pretty set on getting the voyager, especially when I found it on sale this week. But to be sure I started reading more about it, and the more I read, the more bad things I keep finding. It doesn't seem as though anyone has matched apples touchscreen yet. I would go for an iphone, but odds are the new version will be out soon and even then it it probably out of my price range.

I currently use a Motorola E815 on Verizon. I have no reason to switch from Verizon, but I am not against switching for the right phone. But at the same time I want a good carrier as well as a good phone, with the carrier taking a slight priority.

I am basically looking for a good phone, by good phone I mean all the normal phone features work well(sound quality, reception, ringer volume, etc.). I also want a good web browser and the ability to IM is a plus, but not a requirement. Multimedia isn't as much of a concern, but again it's a plus.

So what are some good phone, with good browsers? Touchscreen while awesome, is not a requirement. The bigger the screen the better though. Oh and a qwerty keyboard is a nice thing to have for email and texting. I prefer actual keys to touchscreen for texting and email. I would probably prefer alphanumeric to touch screen text entry.

So let me know what phones I should be looking at. Although I probably already have looked at them and seen negative reviews that I didn't like, lol. I just know reviews are often pointless as some are paid for by the company suppling the device. User opinions are worth more, but it still seems as people only post reviews when they don't like a product.

Just for reference, phones I have looked at recently include, the Samsung Glyde, LG Voyager, AT&T tilt, Moto Q, Samsung blackjack and others. And lastly I would like to keep my budget under 300 for this phone. That is an after contract price as my contract with verizon is up, so whether I stay with them or go to a new carrier I should get a new contract discount.
 

onlyCOpunk

Platinum Member
May 25, 2003
2,532
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Are you wanting to stay with Verizon, or are you open to carrier change as well. If you are open to change to say ATT and TMobile it will open a whole new door of cell phones as you can buy any "unlocked" GSM phone and use it with those networks.

On a side note about the new iPhone, rumor has it, there's going to be a subsidy price bring the price down dramatically.

LG is supposed to make nice phones. The Prada and I think another model look appetizing. Both touchscreen models, but as far as how they actually work I have no idea.

The only phones I've ever truly loved are my iPhone, and old Nokia candybar as I could spit out texts on that thing like no one's business. And the Moto Rokr Z6.

Of course there are also blackberries to consider. And the Nokia N95 is worth looking into if you are looking for more then just a phone.
 

coolred

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2001
4,911
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The N95 is out because it is just way too expensive. And I wouldn't want all my eggs in one basket. I would rather have a separate phone and camera.

And as I said, I am willing to switch to another carrier as long as they don't suck.
 

Muadib

Lifer
May 30, 2000
18,120
911
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You should do like many are doing, and wait until the new iPhone comes out. There is nothing else out that can touch the iPhone for web browsing. If the rumors about at&t selling it for $199 are true, it will meet your budget. June 9th is said to be the day they announce their plans.

Spend your time while waiting finding out how at&t is in your area.
 

Pliablemoose

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
25,195
0
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Originally posted by: Muadib
You should do like many are doing, and wait until the new iPhone comes out. There is nothing else out that can touch the iPhone for web browsing. If the rumors about at&t selling it for $199 are true, it will meet your budget. June 9th is said to be the day they announce their plans.

Spend your time while waiting finding out how at&t is in your area.

WM 6.1 is the best WM browser so far, it's pretty slick, but you need to install a non standard ROM in most cases to get it.

I have an iPhone and agree that it's the best so far.

 

CowZ

Member
Apr 24, 2006
188
0
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how about switching to sprint's SRO? my brother is currently on it paying 30 bucks a month with unlimited internet and hes using the Mogul which he customized up the yin yang. how about the Mogul?

but yeah i agree with Maudib about ATT's stipend for 200$ iphone would be a good idea. I sold my 8gig iphone so i can get the new one as the rumored 3G and GPS already sold it for me
 

DivideBYZero

Lifer
May 18, 2001
24,117
2
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Any QWERTY BlackBerry with the Opera Mini browser will satisfy all of your requirements. The new Bold has an insane screen res.
 

ShockwaveVT

Senior member
Dec 13, 2004
830
1
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Blackberry Pearl seems like a good deal at Verizon right now...

Right now I am debating the virtues of the LG eNV 2 and the Blackberry 8130 Pearl. Both are $99 at Verizon right now (2yr/AR) key difference being data plans.
eNV2 $15/mo for unlimited Mobile Web & Hotmail/AOL/Yahoo "email" = could still use mobile web version of Gmail.
BB Pearl $30/mo for the Pearl for unlimited Mobile Web & full web browsing (w/ Opera mini) and full POP3/IMAP access to any email accounts, including gmail

Seems like I can get the same Voice / Text package with either phone ($50/mo).
So it really boils down to "Is full web browsing and the BB email interface worth $15/mo?

btw, I've considered the iPhone but I send a lot of texts... not too keen on touchscreen typing based on what I've seen of my coworkers iphone.
 

coolred

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2001
4,911
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0
I like the huge screen of the iphone. More real estate is always good for web browsing on a phone. But I am just not sure if I will like not having a tactile qwerty keyboard
 

pontifex

Lifer
Dec 5, 2000
43,804
46
91
In the same boat, even currently use a e815 as well.
work just got me a motokrazr v3m for work use and it gets at least 1 bar of signal less than my e815. reviews are definitely all over the place. my problem is that i don't want to spend much on the phone either and I don't really need all the bells and whistles.
 

coolred

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2001
4,911
0
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Originally posted by: ShockwaveVT
Blackberry Pearl seems like a good deal at Verizon right now...

Right now I am debating the virtues of the LG eNV 2 and the Blackberry 8130 Pearl. Both are $99 at Verizon right now (2yr/AR) key difference being data plans.
eNV2 $15/mo for unlimited Mobile Web & Hotmail/AOL/Yahoo "email" = could still use mobile web version of Gmail.
BB Pearl $30/mo for the Pearl for unlimited Mobile Web & full web browsing (w/ Opera mini) and full POP3/IMAP access to any email accounts, including gmail

Seems like I can get the same Voice / Text package with either phone ($50/mo).
So it really boils down to "Is full web browsing and the BB email interface worth $15/mo?

btw, I've considered the iPhone but I send a lot of texts... not too keen on touchscreen typing based on what I've seen of my coworkers iphone.

How are you getting those data/messaging plans so cheap? Cheapest I see on verizon is like 80 bucks. Which is making Sero hard to pass up.