What cell phone do you have and how do you like it?

[AuntiePam]

Hubby's eligible for a cell phone upgrade. He wants a better camera but other than that, he's not picky. He doesn't text so he doesn't care if it has a QWERTY keyboard. Durability is important. He might like a touch screen, if it works like it's supposed to -- he gets impatient at slow responses. He won't use it for e-mail or work-type applications.

Basically, he needs an old-person phone with a good camera that's easy to use. Some of the free ones he's eligible for are Blackberry, LG Ally, Palm Pre, HTC Imagio, Samsung Omnia, and a 5 megapixel one Casio Exilim. Or a Droid for $50.

Some web-based apps would be nice, like navigation and maps, maybe weather, but I don't know if using those raises the monthly bill. I should probably check that out.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

[MarkF]

Hello AuntiePam,

Just a word to the wise regarding touch screens, if he hasn't used one before, I strongly recommend he try one out at a store or whatever as getting the hang of the touchscreen, in particular manipulating a cursor and links, is very tricky and can lead to destruction of things.

At least, that's what I found right up to the point I changed a Samsung touch screen for a Nokia E63.

[blank]

I have a SE Vivaz- It performs the major function (making and receiving phone calls) excellently. It also has a Cybershot camera which is 8megapixels with all the extras you get these days with digital cameras (smile detection, landscape mode) and is very good in low light situations. The only downside is the touchscreen is restistant rather than capacitant.

[Colonel Plink]

I just got an upgrade. I didn't want to spend a lot, and I've just discovered the joys of text messaging, so I got an Alcatel Tribe. I now text three times a much as I phone. The camera is ok-ish.

[Sleeps With Butterflies]

I have an HTC Hero and I love it.

[Panacea]

This is not going to be helpful but I have a Nokia 3120b and I love it.

[Dazzling White Diamonds]

I have a Motorola Droid, and I love it. Call quality is decent, love having internet capability. I can instant message and send texts. Camera is decent, too.

[Giraffe]

I have a Nokia Intrigue 7205. It's fine, just a basic flip phone. However, because the wife was kind enough to drop hers in the toilet a few weeks ago, this weekend we went and bought two Droid X's.

They won't arrive until August 5th, but then life will finally be good. Finally.

[hajario]

My love for my iPhone 4 is well documented here.

[Gay Sex Hippo]

Originally Posted by blank

The only downside is the touchscreen is restistant rather than capacitant.

wot is retstitstanst?

[Panacea]

Originally Posted by Giraffe

However, because the wife was kind enough to drop hers in the toilet a few weeks ago,

WHAT IS IT WITH YOU PEOPLE AND TOILETS

[NAF1138]

Originally Posted by Giraffe

I have a Nokia Intrigue 7205. It's fine, just a basic flip phone. However, because the wife was kind enough to drop hers in the toilet a few weeks ago, this weekend we went and bought two Droid X's.

They won't arrive until August 5th, but then life will finally be good. Finally.

Not to totally hijack the thread, but out of curiosity why did you pick the Droid X over the Incredible (that I know you were considering because I have been stalking you for a while now). I have been going back and forth between the two since my blackberry broke and I am looking for something to give one of them a solid edge over the other.

[Giraffe]

Originally Posted by NAF1138

Not to totally hijack the thread, but out of curiosity why did you pick the Droid X over the Incredible (that I know you were considering because I have been stalking you for a while now). I have been going back and forth between the two since my blackberry broke and I am looking for something to give one of them a solid edge over the other.

The stats are very similar between the phones, but two things swung us in favor of the Droid X:

1. The screen is a lot bigger. Which is nice if you have big hands and/or like to be able to read what's on the screen.

2. The battery life of the Droid X is quite a bit longer than the Incredible, possibly twice as much. Both are pretty power hungry, of course, but I've heard the Incredible's battery life is short enough as to be a bit bothersome.

Otherwise, they both look like awesome phones and I don't think you can go wrong either way. HTC's UI is a lot more popular in reviews than Motorola's, for example, which is a strong point in its favor.

[AuntiePam]

When you guys say "battery life", do you mean the phone needs frequent recharging, or that the battery needs frequent replacement?

And does internet use add to the phone bill? An extra monthly charge, or a per use charge?

[Giraffe]

Originally Posted by AuntiePam

When you guys say "battery life", do you mean the phone needs frequent recharging, or that the battery needs frequent replacement?

And does internet use add to the phone bill? An extra monthly charge, or a per use charge?

I meant how long you could use it before it needed to be recharged. I think most rechargable batteries should last at least a couple of years, but will start performing more poorly at and beyond that point in terms of how long each charge lasts.

And smart phones do require a data plan -- at Verizon it's an extra $30/month, I believe. Per phone.

[NAF1138]

Originally Posted by Giraffe

I meant how long you could use it before it needed to be recharged. I think most rechargable batteries should last at least a couple of years, but will start performing more poorly at and beyond that point in terms of how long each charge lasts.

And smart phones do require a data plan -- at Verizon it's an extra $30/month, I believe. Per phone.

Are they forcing the data plan on all smartphones now? It used to only be blackberrys. If he plans on using the internet at all, Auntie Pam, it is best to get the dataplan. The non plan per use rates are insanely high.

[Euryphaessa]

I like my Samsung Omnia a lot. Pretty much all I do is text, go on the Geeb and occasionally Google stuff, so I'm not the one to talk to about applications (although I do have Google Maps, as I am frequently lost). The camera is 5 megapixels and is pretty decent, especially for outdoor shots with plenty of natural light. I also like the storage feature on it, I can plug it in to my computer and it recognizes the phone as a mass storage device, so you can put pretty much anything on there. I can usually go 2 or 3 days before I need to charge it again, but since I'm not often actually talking on it or using the internet, I don't drain it very quickly.

Originally Posted by NAF1138

Are they forcing the data plan on all smartphones now? It used to only be blackberrys. If he plans on using the internet at all, Auntie Pam, it is best to get the dataplan. The non plan per use rates are insanely high.

I don't think I have to have a data plan for my phone, but I'm in Canada so perhaps things are different. I do have a data plan because as you say, the non-plan rates are ridiculous. Hell, my bill is ridiculous regardless.

[dogbutler]

I have a Nokia E71x. Real QWERTY keyboard, da Interweb, and I think it makes phone calls, too.

[Stupid Sexy Flanders]

I am constantly impressed with the camera in my env3 (which also has a qwerty keyboard and thus may not be in your strike zone). Photos in bright daylight are as good as my Nikon D80 (though lower resolution).

[threnody]

I have a HTC Legend and I love it. I will be sorry when I have to give it back. It has my whole life in it.

[AuntiePam]

Originally Posted by Stupid Sexy Flanders

I am constantly impressed with the camera in my env3 (which also has a qwerty keyboard and thus may not be in your strike zone). Photos in bright daylight are as good as my Nikon D80 (though lower resolution).

That's what I have. I like the camera too (esp. when I remember to Save), and the keyboard.

We're paying $114 a month for two lines, 700 minutes, unlimited texting. We never use all the minutes, maybe half, but 700 minutes is what Verizon starts with. I just checked and Giraffe is right, it's an extra $30 a month if we want to use the internet.

I've been looking at the reviews for the phones they're offering, and they're not helpful. For every "best phone ever" there's a "worst phone ever".

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by Sleeps With Butterflies

I have an HTC Hero and I love it.

Oh hey, Telus has these on sale for $29 with the purchase of a 3 year contract. So very tempting.

How much data do people use on smartphones? Do any of you find yourselves going over your limits? The basic dataplan I'm looking at is 500mb per month - you're all big internet nerds, do you use that much?

[Amblydoper]

I use pandora for 15-20 hours a month, and I use about 500MB. The web won't rack up much data usage, but streaming media will.

[St. Urho]

I have an HTC Incredible on Verizon. I think it's a great phone. The screen is very impressive, call quality is good, and it's blazing fast. It has an 8 MP camera. I'm also using the Swype keyboard which is really cool. I believe the Droid X comes with Swype.

My girlfriend has the original Droid, which she likes. The biggest differences I've noticed are: the Droid is much, much bulkier. I don't use the physical keyboard much, but she seems to like it. I like the Sense UI on the Incredible better than the stock Android on the Droid. HTC also has some extra widgets and changes a few of the stock apps, as well- Mail, photos, contacts and a couple others. I generally like these better. The Droid does have much better battery life.

Verizon requires a data plan for any smartphone. As of right now, it's unlimited for $30/month.

[AuntiePam]

Originally Posted by St. Urho

Verizon requires a data plan for any smartphone. As of right now, it's unlimited for $30/month.

Showing my ignorance here -- a data plan would be in addition to our current friends and family etc. plan?

[NAF1138]

Originally Posted by AuntiePam

Showing my ignorance here -- a data plan would be in addition to our current friends and family etc. plan?

Yes, and it is totally unnecessary unless he plans on using the internet and email (or other similar services) on his phone. If he is getting a smartphone but doesn't plan on using those things, he should reconsider the smartphone as the phone for him. There are many good non smart phones out there that take photos, the smartphones are just...like little pocket netbooks. They are really neat, but not everyone needs them.

[AHunter3]

I don't know what brand I have. It's black, and it makes phone calls.

[Anacanapuna]

I have a Motorola Razr and I'm still learning how to use it.

'Nuff said.

[Radical Edward]

I have an LG Voyager and I love it so. It is durable and friendly. In fact, I might decline my upgrade and keep my Voyager for another two years.

I should probably add: full keyboard, GPS navigator, very good precise touch screen, mp3 player, email and internet access, mobile TV, nice camera (but no flash)

[St. Urho]

Originally Posted by NAF1138

Yes, and it is totally unnecessary unless he plans on using the internet and email (or other similar services) on his phone. If he is getting a smartphone but doesn't plan on using those things, he should reconsider the smartphone as the phone for him. There are many good non smart phones out there that take photos, the smartphones are just...like little pocket netbooks. They are really neat, but not everyone needs them.

What he said. There's also some pseudo-smartphones that only require a $10/month data plan. Like this phone or this one

[jali]

I have a Metro PCS account and for $50 per month I have unlimited texting and domestic calling, unlimited internet access and there is no contract. I have the Motorola hint and I like it alot.

[AuntiePam]

Originally Posted by St. Urho

What he said. There's also some pseudo-smartphones that only require a $10/month data plan. Like this phone or this one

Cool! He can get the Samsung for free. I might get the LG when it's my turn to upgrade.

We're gonna head to the mall and look at some of the recommended phones.

Thanks everybody, for all the information!

[Giraffe]

I posted this from my new Droid. So far it seems pretty awesome. I don't really know how to do anything, though.

Swype is the best, that much I already know.

[AuntiePam]

Originally Posted by Giraffe

I posted this from my new Droid. So far it seems pretty awesome. I don't really know how to do anything, though.

One of my boys has one and he loves it.

We ended up getting an LG ENV3. It's the same phone I have, so we can teach each other how to use it.

[Zombies!]

A bit late now:

I have a Nokia E63. I love it. It browses well, the screen is clear and I LOVE the qwerty keyboard. The Ovi store is easy to use and there's a TON of free apps.

I had an LG Prada touch phone prior to this. I hated it in the end. I'm not a fan of touchscreen phones. Maybe one that used a stylus might be different, but I just didn't like the lack of tactile feedback when I was using the touch screen, and on hot days or when I was wearing makeup, the screen got all urgy and I had to keep wiping it down before I could use it.

[GoSmoke]

I've got a pink Sanyo Katana. It's cute, it works well and it has never given me a moment of trouble.