So I bought an iPhone for AT&T and it is aggravating. I need something else. What do you suggest?

December 19, 2008 11:39 AM

So I bought an iPhone for AT&T and it is aggravating. I need something else. What do you suggest?

A question I posted on this site sold me on buying the iPhone. However, after about a week and a half with it, I think I want something different.

I've discovered that I don't want a touchscreen phone. You have to concentrate so much on typing that's it's just annoying. I want to be able to fire off a text message while driving or walking without having to come all-stop just to make sure the phone has my full attention. It's even aggravating to have to look at the phone to find the "answer" button unlike on my RAZR.

I'd give up the Gmail (which I've discovered I don't really need) and Facebook (which I've discovered I don't really need) for ease of usage for normal phone tasks.

What type of phone should I get now? I have until January 15th to return this iPhone.

I've noticed that I tend to like elegant candybar phones. I don't want to have to pull out something just to text or flip out something just to text (so the whole world notices I'm texting, especially at a meeting).

This definitley leaves Blackberrys and a lot of other Sony Ericsson and Samsung phones, among others.

What should I get? I want my simplicity of communication back. The iPhone does too much shit to be quick/efficient/good at texting and calling. The call quality is not good, either.

And I hate how the damn thing vibrates in my ear if I'm on the phone and receive a spam email. This damn phone is aggravating. Can I have a hand finding a new one? Thanks, MeFi.

posted by decrescendo to technology (19 comments total)

You have to concentrate so much on typing that's it's just annoying.

Don't concentrate, and don't be afraid of making mistakes. I bet I can type 40 words per minute on the iPhone -- but here's the key: let the spellchecker autocorrect mistakes for you. It's very good.

I know this doesn't answer your question directly, but it's worth mentioning since your main gripe is typing.
posted by nitsuj at 11:48 AM on December 19, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

I love my blackberry pearl. It's good for calling, texting, and emailing, including gmail, and decent at the net if you don't mind the small screen.
posted by dpx.mfx at 11:50 AM on December 19, 2008

You could always turn off the push email to solve the vibrating while on a call problem. I turned mine off on the first day... way too annoying.

As a small computer, I think the iPhone is amazing. As a phone, I still like my Moto E815 better. The lack of bluetooth driven voice dialing is very surprising.

And please don't text while you're driving near me.
Or my family.
Or any other human, for that matter.
posted by Steve3 at 11:54 AM on December 19, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

It sounds like you'd be perfectly happy with a BlackBerry Pearl.

But since you want to text while driving, and in the middle of meetings without anyone noticing, I'd really rather you not get any phone at all.
posted by Metroid Baby at 11:58 AM on December 19, 2008 [6 favorites has favorites]

haha did not expect this thread to turn into schooling me on the proper time to text message


I mean if I'm in the mall, I have to completely stop walking to text or read a text or anything

and If I'm driving I have to look down at the phone more even to answer a call
posted by decrescendo at 12:14 PM on December 19, 2008

But since you want to text while driving, and in the middle of meetings without anyone noticing, I'd really rather you not get any phone at all.

And people are always on their blackberries at work since all of the military/upper management get their emails forwarded.

I don't feel bad shooting a few texts though.
posted by decrescendo at 12:18 PM on December 19, 2008

As for the vibrating, turn off the email notification, not the push email. I get so many emails a day that my phone would be ringing all the time if I had the notifications on.

and If I'm driving I have to look down at the phone more even to answer a call

Not if you have a earpiece or a headset or even if you use the bundled earphones -- when your phone rings you can press the little button, and it'll automatically connect you.

Of course, if you're not using a handsfree device some way or another, that's a problem, and you shouldn't be talking on a cellphone while driving, either.
posted by suedehead at 12:18 PM on December 19, 2008

I was in the the same (or similar) boat. I returned the iPhone, got the BB Pearl (as many others have already recommended).
posted by devbrain at 12:37 PM on December 19, 2008

Another vote for the BB pearl. Texting works great...except for words not in the dictionary. Trying to input fake words drives me insane with the SureType. The size is another plus. So slim.
posted by jmd82 at 1:05 PM on December 19, 2008

I'm a big fan of Nokia phones.

If you need an excellent camera and good multimedia capabilities (but still no comparison to the iPhone), go for the Nokia N85.

If you're more into basic smartphone functions (especially internet, texting, email), then the E51 (T9) or E71 (qwerty) would be best. The only thing about the E51 is that it has no GPS, but it's due for a refresh soon.
posted by randomstriker at 1:31 PM on December 19, 2008

So you have a device for a week and a half and you don't like it because you haven't completely mastered it yet? You should probably give it a bit more time since it does a bit more than a simple texting phone.

But if you really don't want to use it, I'd recommend either a Sony-Ericsson or a BB Pearl or Curve depending on your preference for keyboard.
posted by eatcake at 2:32 PM on December 19, 2008

I have never heard a single complaint about the BlackBerry Curve. Essentally it is a little bit bigger Pearl with a full qwerty keyboard. I am planning to make a similar move myself, from a touchscreen device to a Curve or back to my older BB device.
posted by altcountryman at 3:23 PM on December 19, 2008

If I didn't like my iPhone, I'd get a Blackberry Bold.

Sony Ericsson makes great phones too, as you suggested.
posted by phaded at 3:25 PM on December 19, 2008

Oh, yeah, there is a nice gmail app for BlackBerry and you can keep your fa ebook too.
posted by altcountryman at 3:26 PM on December 19, 2008

Love my BlackJack 2, and it's hella cheap. For what I consider to be the next in the BlackJack line, look at the Samsung Epix.
posted by deezil at 3:42 PM on December 19, 2008

Blackberry Bold is phenomenal. Truly amazing. I have never been happier with a cell phone.

If the Bold is too big or expensive for you, try the Blackberry Pearl instead... also a very high quality phone.
posted by stilly at 7:04 PM on December 19, 2008

I love my Sony Ericsson 790A - it's an elegant candybar phone, IMO. Great camera, also. There's a newer model with a 5mp camera on it, but I love the little joystick button on mine so I haven't upgraded yet. Bluetooth, push e-mail, and everything else I need.
posted by lucydriving at 7:13 PM on December 19, 2008

oh, forgot to mention that the Sony Ericsson 790A isn't sold by ATT (think it was originally for Suncom) but I am on the ATT network and bought mine unlocked on eBay.
posted by lucydriving at 7:17 PM on December 19, 2008

I'm a big fan of the Nokia N95. It's got all the apps and everything you'd want(gmail, google maps, facebook, a couple web browsers, push email) and it also has real buttons you can push, a fantastic camera, GPS, and 3G data. I've been playing with the location-based social networking stuff lately, too.
posted by Mr. Gunn at 5:50 PM on December 20, 2008