Wife's much loved 5310 won't charge, fix, replace same/new?

[mikeford]

My wife likes her OLD Nokia 5310 Music Express phone a lot, but after years of beating on it, looks like the charger jack is broken. I've found replacement jacks on ebay, as well as both new and "new other" 5310's for about $70. She says for her use, phone/text as she also has two Nook's and Blackberry, nothing is materially better.

Jack is like $5 shipped, but most sources are two weeks away, still I plan on ordering one tonight to be ready.

Any suggestions on a new or newer phone that I might tempt her with?

I thought about grabbing a Nokia 521, but the 5310 is half the size/wt, which is an issue.

 

[Selenium_Glow]

The only small and light phones I know are the cheaper samsung Galaxy phones(2.8 to 3 inches).

Here, try something thing and light and about 4 inches. The best I could figure out is the midrange Sony Xperias (Xperia L, SP, ZR, etc)

 

[phucheneh]

The offshoots of the Samsung Galaxies can be had for reasonable prices and you can get her a keyboard if she desires such for texting. Basically, it's a better texting phone than what she has, plus it's a touchscreen smartphone, plus it's cheap.

I think the Galaxy Appeal is the current entry-level. Hardware is not much different from the first iPhones. <100 bucks. I bought a Captivate Glide (SII with a keyboard) for $150.

A 4" WVGA screen seems to be about the standard on entry-level phones now (the Appeal is HVGA). It's really not that big. The thinner models that are touchscreen input only shouldn't seem much bigger. Larger footprint, but less chunky.

For a plain, functional phone with hardware that destroys everything else for the price, the 521 seems like a good choice. For a smaller screen + buttons, the Appeal is not too bad.

 

[wasabiman123]

Lumia 520 if you can't wait, or wait for the soon to be announced Lumia 525, excellent value in a small and super cheap package. We're talking 100~ or less off contract.

 

[Oyeve]

That was a great phone.

 

[bearxor]

The 521 is barely larger than the 5310. It's like 20mm longer and wider. That's not even an inch in either direction. Granted, it is almost twice as heavy. But it's still extremely light.

She gains so much more by upgrading to the L521. Just do it and let her tell you she actually doesn't want it after a couple of weeks to give you a chance to return it. It's a great device and is probably PERFECT for her.

 

[mikeford]

I have a replacement jack on the way now, here if not today, then tomorrow. The center pin on the inside of the old jack broke off and is currently stuck inside the power adapter plug (but I am sure it will come out teased with a safety pin). I have all the tiny screwdriver type bits and looks like jack isn't hard to replace. That is my short term.

Dragging her by a Tmobile store soon to let her look at the various phones. Another deal on the 521, ala $80 shipped, and I will buy one to play with and see who gets it. I still use a Nokia 3200b (candy bar with clear shell and replaceable inside skins), but I want to get a droid like the Nexus4 or 5 to mess with.

Thanks for all the suggestions.