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11/05/2006 04:30:00 PM · #1 |
It's time for a new cell phone. I don't particularly like my current phone, but don't know what's available either.
My service is thru Cingular in SW Missouri, 64759. I don't know why they think where I am is important, I can take my phone anywhere and use it and anyone from anywhere else can use theirs here. *shrug* Anyway, Cingular says it's important when choosing a phone, so there it is.
My current phone is a Motorola V180:
- size is fine, could be a bit thinner but not a big issue either way.
- reception is poor. Before taking the plunge and getting a full contracted service I tried a Nokia Go Phone from AT&T (don't remember model). While I was using the Nokia Cingular took over AT&T's cell service -- I didn't notice a difference. But when I went with a service plan, the Motorola does not have the reception the Nokia did. I was nearly always at full bars with the Nokia, but even with recent upgrades in the area I am rarely at full -- usually 2 bars, enough for use but with issues. Others with the same service and different phones consistently have 1 to 2 bars better reception when standing side by side with me.
- sound isn't so good. I'm lumping together several things here, including how well I hear others to how multimedia sounds on it -- it is all very 'tinny'. So much so, there is no point in different ring-tones -- I've tried lots -- but they all sound about the same. Volume is another aspect of the sound I don't like. It isn't loud enough. My ears are fine, but the ringer and such just isn't very loud. It can not be heard at all when in its belt pouch and even when sitting on the desk beside me is just loud enough to get my attention if I am doing anything other than reading quitely. While I'm at it, the vibration mode isn't any better, unless I am holding it in my hand I never feel it.
- one of the biggest quirks I don't like about it is that I can't use the data capabilities (notepad, calender and such) while talking on the phone. I end up not using them since there is no point in keeping track of my appointments if I can't check them if someone asks.
- the intellegent typing while text messaging works well, the only complaint is it can be ackward to get a number of special symbol with it turned on.
- battery life is fairly short (about 1 1/2 to 2 days of light use), which is far below what is useful.
So, now that you know what I have and have become dissatisfied with, here is what I am looking for.
- Good reception. There just is no point in having a cell phone if the reception isn't good. I may be old-fashion, but talking on it is still by far my main use for a phone.
- I like the small (but not micro-tiny) phones, and prefer the flips -- but neither is a requirement if something else better suits me funcionally. Who makes it is not important (although Motorola has a black eye with the V180 -- but I conceed it is more toward their low end and may not represent the rest of their lineup).
- Sound, good and loud. The technology should be good enough to not have to put up with 'tinny' or weak sound, so I don't see why I should. :D I won't have the volume turned up so it can be heard across a noisy room, but it would be nice to be able to. The same goes for the vibration mode, must be able to feel it.
- I think I would like for it to double as an MP3 player, but only if it can store a good quantity (80-100) songs in good quality (I won't insist on the excellent quality I would from a stand-alone MP3 player). This would be a selling factor over a phone that doesn't have it, and would even go with a larger phone to get it -- but I won't miss it if it's not there.
- this will probably be blasphemous, but a camera is not a selling point one way or the other. The camera phones I've seen make P&S's look professional. If there are phones with decent cameras in them I may consider it.
- while I don't need a full-blown PDA, I do want to be able to use the features of the phone while talking on it. This is definitely a selling point. I was told at a local cell-shop that no phone will multi-task like this, but I find that hard to believe.
- price is always a concern, but far from top priority.
There you have it, what I have and don't care for as well as what I am looking for. But I don't know what's out there, so I turn to the vast about of different experences on DPC for suggestion of make and model to look into further.
Thanks.
David
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11/05/2006 07:19:03 PM · #2 |
I have the Motorola V710...good phone, good sound, etc. I do not listen to music or take pics with it. giant waste to me. Wish I could find a phone without all that crap in it.
I use Verizon so not sure of CIngular. Never a problem wiht reception until I get way up in the mountains in the backcountry, and then sometimes still can get a bar. I can update in April and am looking at the Treo or the Motorola Q (if they get it in Palm soon. Verizon is selling the Q at about $100 right now (check Cingular for possible competition). Specs here
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11/05/2006 07:24:37 PM · #3 |
wow, that is a serious post!
take the free one they give you - the ugly one from nokia - it's tough, you can hear it, and it's FREE
I personally don't understand why so many place so much importance on these devices - that they spend hundreds to have them and never go anywhere without them - so people they don't necessarily like can interupt their lives -
but perhaps I'm off topic here...
I vote for the free one every time.
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11/05/2006 07:33:23 PM · #4 |
well i for one hope people continue to love and buy lots of cell phones:)
as far as reception that is a matter of provider more than phone although phones can make a big difference sometimes.
the reason they need to know where you live is to figure out what phones you can use. yes you can go anywhere with yours but some times companies have different models in different areas. for instance why get your hopes up for a fancy blackberry if it doesn't work where you live? also cingular doesn't even sell phones to people that live in their no service areas.
as far as a phone, the v710 mentioned is very good but it has been replaced by the e815. if they have this phone i would recommend it. I got it for my wife and sell more of them than any other model and it has the least number of malfunctions per 1000 units that my company currently sells.
I personally love my phone and would highly recommend it if cingular sells it and you have the dough:)
Message edited by author 2006-11-05 19:34:48. |
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11/05/2006 07:36:14 PM · #5 |
I took the free offer myself, on my current phone. I am needing to upgrade my Handspring BRICK from 2000. Dropped it a few times and put t back together. Otherwise, the free one is always the best idea!! :)
I agree with the always having it. I HATE people who drive while holding that damn thing! Saw the Mythbusters that showed that it is just as dangerous as driving drunk! [sarcasm] Good thing Colorado decided that the driving while holding a phone wasn't a needed law [/sarcasm], but driving in the fast lane, other than to pass, was a good idea. Hmmmmm....
If I didn't pay for the phone for my sons mother, I would only need 100 minutes a month (more like 50). I turn mine off all the time.
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11/05/2006 08:18:18 PM · #6 |
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11/05/2006 08:30:17 PM · #7 |
I have a RAZR too and I love it. The only downfall is that they're not all that sturdy, so you have to be a little more careful than normal. Mine has survived a few drops without any problems (not even scratches) so it's not like you have to treat it like an egg or anything. I would highly recommend one though.
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11/05/2006 08:49:45 PM · #8 |
This one is just right for me. I happen to work at the Tech Support Desk for your carrier. I am a Tier II Tech at Cingular Wireless. I do highly recommend the RAZR phone based on my personal experience with it and the minimal reports we receive on coverage issues. Cingular recently introduced the RAZR V3i which includes the MP3/iTunes player.
The reason that your physical location is important to the phone your buy is the stage of the technology. I would estimate that 75% of the country is still at 2.5 G (2.5 Generation = GSM with EDGE speeds). The rest of the country (major metropolitans) are at 3G technology which allows for the streaming video that you are seeing advertised now a days. The 3G phones are not for sale all over just yet, but it is expanding very quickly. I have some personal opinions/professional experiences with other phones that I would be happy to share with you...models to avoid, problems reported with some but are not yet classified as a recall...etc. Another VERY IMPORTANT factor to your reception is the age or generation of your SIM card. Feel free to PM me with any specific questions.
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11/05/2006 08:50:36 PM · #9 |
| Oh..I should add...your best deals are usually found online at Cingular.com. Hint...The more you help yourself, the less you are paying for sales commissions! |
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11/05/2006 08:54:21 PM · #10 |
| forgot to address your multi-tasking issue... The Cingular 8125 Smartphone/PDA plays MP3's, has expandable memory, so storage is not so lmited, and you can multi-task. I have had some 'minor' issues reported to me with this phone that I would be happy to further discuss. |
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11/06/2006 06:33:42 AM · #11 |
Tracy and Doug: Thanks for your replies, but unfortunately none of the phones you mentioned are available thru Cingular.
Eddi and Sameer: Thanks for the responses. I should have mentioned in the original post that I have looked at the Razr, but just don't like it. I'm not real sure why, but something about the way it looks and feels (especially the keypad) just turns me off. It could offer (and may very well does offer) all I'm looking for such that I would never lack in functionality -- but I don't think I would ever like using it.
Julie: I'm going to take you up on your offer. Just remember you asked for it! :D
David
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11/06/2006 08:04:28 AM · #12 |
Ok, I've done a bit more checking on what models are actually available to me. From those I've narrowed it down to 4 that seem to have what I'm looking for, they are (with basic specs):
Sony Ericsson W300i
Music (Walkman)
Camera (VGA)
Storage (^1GB M2, 256MB included)
Bluetooth
Quad-Band
Time: 9h/16d
Sony Ericsson W810i
Music (Walkman)
Camera (2Mp)
Storage (^2GB Memory Stick Pro Duo, 512MB included)
Bluetooth
Quad-Band
Time: 8h/14d
Motorola V365
Music
Camera (VGA)
Storage (^1GB MicroSD)
Bluetooth
Quad-Band
Time: 3h/8d
Rugged
LG CU500
Music
Camera (1.3Mp)
Storage (^1GB MicroSD)
Bluetooth
Multi-tasking
Quad-Band
Time: 5h/10d
The first three (2 Sony Ericsson's and the Motorola) are available online at Cingular.com -- but the LG is available at a local store only.
Of the four, the Motorola falls short and doesn't seem to be in the same leaque as the others, but also comes in as the cheapest so it's not all bad.
I am slightly leaning toward the Sony Ericsson W810i, but the LG CU500 is the only one that I know will multi-task like I want.
So, Julie (or anyone) do you have anything you can tell me about these phones?
Thanks again
David
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11/06/2006 08:21:20 AM · #13 |
.
Since you want some PDA functionality, along with music playing, two phones come to mind: the Dash (T-Mobile, and Motorola-Q (Verizon).
If you want a full PDA that has a phone, check out the Cingular 8125/T-Mobile MDA.
Check out PhoneScoop, where you can browse phones and compare them head-to-head.
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11/06/2006 08:30:42 AM · #14 |
Originally posted by digitalknight:
wow, that is a serious post!
take the free one they give you - the ugly one from nokia - it's tough, you can hear it, and it's FREE
I personally don't understand why so many place so much importance on these devices - that they spend hundreds to have them and never go anywhere without them - so people they don't necessarily like can interupt their lives -
but perhaps I'm off topic here...
I vote for the free one every time. |
very well said.. now lets get on with it and talk about world peace or something (on our cell phones of course) haha |
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11/06/2006 08:59:07 AM · #15 |
I've gotten some good advice at the forums at //www.howardforums.com/
and there are reviews here:
//www.howardchui.com/
I had a Samsung clamshell (with sprint) which had really bad reception (I don't know if it was sprint or the Samsung, but I ditched them both). Reception is the most important feature to me. So now I try to buy Nokia mostly--they have a reputation for good reception!
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