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What Wireless Phone Should I Buy?

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Seth C

Member
Okay, my contract is finally expriing next month so I'm in the market for a new phone. I'm open to all phones from all carriers, so feel free to suggest anything. Consider price to be no concern. I'll spend several hundred dollars if the features are what I want. Also, if there are new fantastic phones coming to market in the next few months, let me know. I would wait a few months to change carrier and buy a new phone if it meant getting a one I would be happy with.

So, show me what you think are the best phones available or soon to be available.
 

Agent Dormer

Dirty Drinking Smoker
Seth C said:
Okay, my contract is finally expriing next month so I'm in the market for a new phone. I'm open to all phones from all carriers, so feel free to suggest anything. Consider price to be no concern. I'll spend several hundred dollars if the features are what I want. Also, if there are new fantastic phones coming to market in the next few months, let me know. I would wait a few months to change carrier and buy a new phone if it meant getting a one I would be happy with.

So, show me what you think are the best phones available or soon to be available.

Could you specific just a tad more? Anything you want in particular? Bluetooth, etc? Help us help you.
 

Jill Sandwich

the turds of Optimus Prime
oldcellphonepool.jpg


Hot
 

Lyte Edge

All I got for the Vernal Equinox was this stupid tag
photo_treo650.jpg


This is all you need. I just got mine yesterday (had the Treo 600 before it). If you've never seen one of these phones, it's amazing how much is crammed into such a small device. The full QWERTY keyboard also works amazingly well. And you actually talk into it like any normal phone; no N-Gage Sidetalking crap here.

With the 650, you get:

-Bluetooth
-320x320 color screen (looks amazing compared to the 600)
-Full web access to virtually any site
-Speakerphone
-E-mail
-Messaging (You can also download apps like AOL IM and instant message for FREE)
-digital camera
-video capture (not the greatest, but still cool)
-Built-in MP3 playback (I'd buy Pockettunes anyway, however)(You can also use apps to have MP3s as ringtones or to take the place of any other alarm/alert on the phone)
-Access to thousands of Palm OS5 apps


You can also view movie files with various programs like MMPlayer. I don't use this feature as much anymore now that I have a PSP, but the 650's screen is so clear and sharp, that I have no problem watching subtitled anime on a picture half the size of the screen (letterbox). :) You will need to buy an SD card to put any large files onto the phone, and to store more than a few MP3s. Palmone will send you a free 128mb card when you purchase the phone from any retailer. I'd recommend a 512 or 1gb card though.

More info here:
http://palmone.com/us/products/smartphones/

Also this board is great for anything Treo:
http://www.treocentral.com

And for gaming, screw those shitty cell phone games. The Treo's d-pad works great and the button layout works perfectly the NES, Game Gear/Master System, GB/GBC, and TG-16 emulators available for it among others. With the Treo's 320x320 screen, all the games supported look and run perfectly; on the Treo 600, NES games were often hard to see (reading text was impossible) and were never 100% smooth, but on the 650, it's all perfect.

Just make sure to get insurance on a phone like this. My 600 died on me and the warranty, for one year, was expired. Luckily AMEX extends the warranty by another year, so we got the money for the phone from them. I use Sprint, and for $5 a month, they will replace the phone should anything happen to it. (The 600, I found out, is NOTORIOUS for fucking up and has a major problem with the battery. I didn't have anything happen until a few weeks ago and owned it since November 2003. The 650 fixes all the flaws the 600 had anyway. I'm not seeing complaints about it messing up like I did with the Treo 600 weeks after it was first released!)

IMO the reason the 650 was even released so quickly after the 600 was to fix all the flaws the 600 had. It's not a huge upgrade over the 600 (the main difference is the higher resolution screen, bluetooth support, and the 650 is more than twice as fast as the 600) The big 600 problem involved the battery messing up the phone after a time, and without a kit, it's hard to remove the battery, the warranty is voided, etc. The 650's battery is easily replaced and pops right out.
 

BioFan

Member
well...for me....I am browsing to see what's the best carrier??i heard T mobile is really good...what do u guys think?
as for the phones...it has to be cool...that's probably it...hehe
I wouldnt mind getting a tri-band phone from another country....if it's cool and not available in the US...:)
 

aoi tsuki

Member
When they hack the Bluetooth profile to allow it to be used as a modem, then i'll consider the Treo 650. As it is, i've already got $800+ of PDA (Clie + 1GB MS) on me, so i'm a bit wary of carrying more in portable electronics than the value of my car.
 

Lyte Edge

All I got for the Vernal Equinox was this stupid tag
What I love about the Treo phones is that I don't have to carry all that crap with me. I get a PDA and a phone all rolled into one, and internet speeds are generally faster than a 56k modem.
 

aoi tsuki

Member
i'm partial to my Clie's 480x320 screen and awesome keyboard. It's better than the Treo's. What i like about the Treo is the great integration of the phone and PDA applications, and the camera's better as well. i don't know if i'd sell my Clie after getting the Treo though. i'm actually thinking of holding out until they release a 320x480 res Treo, one minus the keyboard, and hopefully with WiFi. Carrying a separate keyboard would be a pain, but if they make the screen rotatable like in the Tungstens, i might jump on it.
 

Timbuktu

Member
Motorola's new phones:

PEBL V6
pebl_v6_1.jpg


The Motorola PEBL is a tri-band handset that is round and smooth in shape.* It measures 49mm x 86.5mm x 20mm and weighs 110g.* The new feature on this phone has to do with a unique opening mechanism that allows for easy operation of opening the phone with one hand.* It’s highly polished metal finish adds a glossy, elegant look. Other features include an integrated Bluetooth(R) wireless technology, a 5MB memory and VGA camera, this tri-band phone is an understated hi-tech package.

Motorola SLVR V8
sliver_front_back.jpg


Motorola E1120
e1120_1.jpg

Motorola E1120 Features:
Unique, dual-design for a seamless digital photography and mobile communication experience
3G technology services for quick browsing and accessing streaming video
3*megapixel camera with auto focus, 8x digital zoom and 30 Lux lamp
Video capture and playback with 2-way video calling and Windows Media playback
Media editing features to alter still and moving images
Motorola’s dynamic idle solution to act as a mobile portal to favorite entertainment and news sites
Integrated MP3 player, 3D stereo audio with dual polyphonic speakers and spacial enhancement
Hands-free Bluetooth wireless connectivity
MMS, email and Instant Messaging options for sharing images, video
Ability to be on a voice call and simultaneously access the Internet, send email or receive content
Up to 512 MB of expandable TransFlash memory
AGPS to access location based services, such as directions and details on nearby attractions
Enhanced WAP 2.0 browser for navigating the World Wide Web
Speaker independent voice dial, allows users to simply state a number and be connected with ease

Black RAZR V3

black_razr_v3_2.jpg
 
Is there a phone with > 1Gb in-built memory and a decent amp to listen music of. Since it would greatly appreciated. Yeah Sony\Nokia\Samsung I want this to happen. I don't like carrying my iPod and my phone together anymore.
 
Fresh Prince said:
Is there a phone with > 1Gb in-built memory and a decent amp to listen music of. Since it would greatly appreciated. Yeah Sony\Nokia\Samsung I want this to happen. I don't like carrying my iPod and my phone together anymore.
I think later this year we will see cell phones with hard drives built-in. Hopefully also with support for standard headset plugs. Nokia predicted that downloadble music is the "next big thing" now when the digital cameras already are a standard feature in cell phones.

edit: and you dont need big internal memory to listen music. Memory cards are just fine for that. One of the reasons why Nokia 6230 is so popular at the moment is because it has a stereo mp3 player and support for memory cards.
 
Good to hear. I hope the start using the regular mini stero plug, decent amp and the ability to transfer music easily. I couldn't care less if it had a camera or mms or whatever. % gig would be ideal for me.

Caught your edit- I know there are phones that use memory cards but I bought an iPod not a MD- even though the MD in some respects is better. The thought of having a zen micro + middle of range phone = all I need. I don't need a pocket pc.
 
Fresh Prince said:
and the ability to transfer music easily.
Well, last monday Nokia announced a co-operation deal with Microsoft. I guess they are working to make Nokia phones 100% compatible with Mediplayer, ie transfering/buying/downloading music from WinXP to Nokia phone would be as easy as possible.

Motorola made some sort of deal with Apple.
 

bionic77

Member
You are going to kill your phone battery if you listern to music and watch videos on it. I have the 6230 that was mentioned and mp3s sound remarkably good on it (movies sound and look pretty good too), but you better keep a close eye on the battery meter if you plan on talking to anyone.
 

DarienA

The black man everyone at Activision can agree on
I believe it's a bit unfair to put forth such a rousing endorsement for the 650 and then not mention the complaints about the questionable stability of the OS. I've heard it mentioned a few places that the phone tends to crash alot.
 

mrklaw

MrArseFace
From the Nokia press release for the 6681, launched in Cannes:

Featuring an integrated music player and stereo audio output, the Nokia 6681 imaging smartphone incorporates a new music player application.

A dedicated music icon launches the music player, and the new application provides for easy creation and management of playlists. In addition, when playing music, the user can directly change tracks, pause, and change the volume using the 5-way directional pad. Music collections can also be easily accessed through the options or back soft keys, and music files can conveniently be transferred via the Nokia PC Suite, or by using the MMC card reader (available in the sales package in selected markets).
 
bionic77 said:
You are going to kill your phone battery if you listern to music and watch videos on it. I have the 6230 that was mentioned and mp3s sound remarkably good on it (movies sound and look pretty good too), but you better keep a close eye on the battery meter if you plan on talking to anyone.
I charge my iPod every second day so charging my phone ever day doesn't seem that much of a stretch. Anyway I wouldn't watch videos on it.

Project Midway, sound good although hopefully phones will be able to just copy + paste.
 

bionic77

Member
Fresh Prince said:
I charge my iPod every second day so charging my phone ever day doesn't seem that much of a stretch. Anyway I wouldn't watch videos on it.

Project Midway, sound good although hopefully phones will be able to just copy + paste.

I am sure you could manage to listen to tunes on your phone, I just meant you have to keep a close eye on the battery because you will be SOL if it gets too low and you have to make or receive a call. A dead cell phone battery is the worst.
 
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