Cell phones that are basically awesome?
May 24, 2005 10:57 AM
What kind of cell phone should I get?
Recent events have made it totally clear that OMG, boo needs a cell phone. I want one that'll forward from my house, decent camera, web access and has a decent, cheap plan for occasional use. I live in Colorado, and I'd plan on using 2 hours or so a month. I'm just not that chatty.
Recent events have made it totally clear that OMG, boo needs a cell phone. I want one that'll forward from my house, decent camera, web access and has a decent, cheap plan for occasional use. I live in Colorado, and I'd plan on using 2 hours or so a month. I'm just not that chatty.
That certainly would have made things a little smoother last week. Give this cell phone finder [flash] a try. It's a little focused on modern phones, but from your list of features, that might be what you're looking for.
posted by Plutor at 11:13 AM on May 24, 2005
posted by Plutor at 11:13 AM on May 24, 2005
One consideration: If you plan on leaving the cities and interstates and staying connected, it might be worthwhile to not be locked into PCS/GSM and find a phone that can also do TDMA/CDMA or (gasp) analog. I think you can get these by going up to a higher price point. I live in a mid-size town big enough to have a 24 hr Wal-Mart and Applebees, but my visitors from the cities always end up with dead phones in this region. Yet my cell purchased here works perfectly here and in the cities.
posted by rolypolyman at 11:13 AM on May 24, 2005
posted by rolypolyman at 11:13 AM on May 24, 2005
Your decision should be based on which company offers the best coverage. Check with friends to get good recommendations about coverage.
Virgin is definitely great for prepaid. They use the Sprint network (at least here in California). The sprint network is pretty biased toward urban areas - your zip code puts you somewhere on the outskirts of Denver, so just check around to make sure that they have coverage for your area.
My experience, however, is that despite all intentions to use cell phones for just a little bit, the darn things are so convenient that all such resolutions kind of wash out, and you end up using them more than you think. We're reasonably happy with Sprint - customer service used to be crappy, but it has gotten LOTS better. However, the other day I used someone else's phone that was on the AT&T, and the sound quality seemed much better than my sprint - but that may just have been a fluke.
posted by jasper411 at 11:14 AM on May 24, 2005
Virgin is definitely great for prepaid. They use the Sprint network (at least here in California). The sprint network is pretty biased toward urban areas - your zip code puts you somewhere on the outskirts of Denver, so just check around to make sure that they have coverage for your area.
My experience, however, is that despite all intentions to use cell phones for just a little bit, the darn things are so convenient that all such resolutions kind of wash out, and you end up using them more than you think. We're reasonably happy with Sprint - customer service used to be crappy, but it has gotten LOTS better. However, the other day I used someone else's phone that was on the AT&T, and the sound quality seemed much better than my sprint - but that may just have been a fluke.
posted by jasper411 at 11:14 AM on May 24, 2005
Plutor: yeah, hindsight, huh?
In general, how are prepaid wireless for roaming? I travel 3-4 times a year, and I know my usage would increase when I travel.
posted by boo_radley at 11:31 AM on May 24, 2005
In general, how are prepaid wireless for roaming? I travel 3-4 times a year, and I know my usage would increase when I travel.
posted by boo_radley at 11:31 AM on May 24, 2005
Decent camera is somewhat subjective. Decent to a photographer? Decent to us as everyday users? Decent to a kid?
I'll assume you mean decent as in the ability to take the occasional photo to be developed, which is what I consider decent. To me, this means 2 megapixel. I've yet to see a picture from something less that was OK for anything other than an eBay auction.
I'm picky that way. If the phone has a camera, I want useable.
If you just want the camera to take pictures of people to put next their address in Outlook, then maybe a 1 megapixel is ok.
Decent web access. This is tough, too. Personally, I think you'll need a Symbian or Windows Mobile phone for this. I'm sure there's an exception out there, but I've never seen it. Opera under Symbian is quite good.
Forwarding from your home. Wow. That would be sweet, but I've never seen or heard of this. Maybe someone else can help you?
As for plans, Most carriers have a plan for between 20 and 30 bucks a month that will give free long distance and roaming, plus about 250 minutes a month. You might have a regional carrier that could give you a better deal, but I've not seen a plan under $20 worth anything.
All this said, your phone is probably going to be expensive, and a plan that forwards? Yikes. Good luck.
I'd recommend either the Motorola A780, or the Sharp 902. Both are pretty nice.
posted by kungfujoe at 11:55 AM on May 24, 2005
I'll assume you mean decent as in the ability to take the occasional photo to be developed, which is what I consider decent. To me, this means 2 megapixel. I've yet to see a picture from something less that was OK for anything other than an eBay auction.
I'm picky that way. If the phone has a camera, I want useable.
If you just want the camera to take pictures of people to put next their address in Outlook, then maybe a 1 megapixel is ok.
Decent web access. This is tough, too. Personally, I think you'll need a Symbian or Windows Mobile phone for this. I'm sure there's an exception out there, but I've never seen it. Opera under Symbian is quite good.
Forwarding from your home. Wow. That would be sweet, but I've never seen or heard of this. Maybe someone else can help you?
As for plans, Most carriers have a plan for between 20 and 30 bucks a month that will give free long distance and roaming, plus about 250 minutes a month. You might have a regional carrier that could give you a better deal, but I've not seen a plan under $20 worth anything.
All this said, your phone is probably going to be expensive, and a plan that forwards? Yikes. Good luck.
I'd recommend either the Motorola A780, or the Sharp 902. Both are pretty nice.
posted by kungfujoe at 11:55 AM on May 24, 2005
I like those phones, kungfujoe , but they seem to start at $700. Are my expectations really that out of touch?
posted by boo_radley at 12:45 PM on May 24, 2005
posted by boo_radley at 12:45 PM on May 24, 2005
I've been very happy with the LG VX7000 through Verizon Wireless. I don't use the web browser, but the camera and messaging are very nice and easy to use. Plus, it's a little larger than most flip models which I find nice as well.
posted by Yukon at 1:23 PM on May 24, 2005
posted by Yukon at 1:23 PM on May 24, 2005
I'm happy with my A670 through Verizon. Order through amazon & get a month + activation effectively free, plus only a one year contract. Not sure about forwarding from home phone though.
Try to do trials of the companies that offer the best coverage in the area. Also, what network your friends are on makes a big difference (most services provide free in-network calling).
posted by devilsbrigade at 2:50 PM on May 24, 2005
Try to do trials of the companies that offer the best coverage in the area. Also, what network your friends are on makes a big difference (most services provide free in-network calling).
posted by devilsbrigade at 2:50 PM on May 24, 2005
Your home phone provider will be the one that deals with forwarding - if they can set it up for you then I think that any mobile should be able to handle it. From the mobile's point of view, it's just another received call.
posted by blag at 3:28 PM on May 24, 2005
posted by blag at 3:28 PM on May 24, 2005
Filmgeek recommended Howard Forums and I have found it helpful for reviews of cell phones.
posted by mlis at 3:50 PM on May 24, 2005
posted by mlis at 3:50 PM on May 24, 2005
Plans for my area seem to be around $40-$50 for up to 500 minutes. How is that pricewise? Should I be looking for something cheaper? I'm used to paying $20 for my land line.
posted by boo_radley at 5:34 PM on May 24, 2005
posted by boo_radley at 5:34 PM on May 24, 2005
Buy your phone on ebay. Should be able to find "new in box" models or slightly used ones that aren't the latest hot ones but are fine. Just be sure the phone you're considering will work with your network of choice (should specify carrier in the ad, or call your carrier to confirm).
The carrier will charge you around $40 to activate the phone on their network, but you won't have a contract. (The funny part: they're likely to ask you how long a contract you desire when you carry it in for the activation. Just smile and say "None".)
I've bought my last 6 or 8 phones on ebay (for between $30 and $150, depending on how fancy they were), and haven't had a contract for at least 5 years (makes it easy to switch carriers if you find yourself unhappy with their coverage). Plus I resold some of them on ebay if they weren't too banged up. Another tip to be able to keep them looking good: choose a phone that has replaceable faceplates, and put the original faceplate away immediately so you can put it back on later for the ebay sale.
posted by Bradley at 8:08 PM on May 24, 2005
The carrier will charge you around $40 to activate the phone on their network, but you won't have a contract. (The funny part: they're likely to ask you how long a contract you desire when you carry it in for the activation. Just smile and say "None".)
I've bought my last 6 or 8 phones on ebay (for between $30 and $150, depending on how fancy they were), and haven't had a contract for at least 5 years (makes it easy to switch carriers if you find yourself unhappy with their coverage). Plus I resold some of them on ebay if they weren't too banged up. Another tip to be able to keep them looking good: choose a phone that has replaceable faceplates, and put the original faceplate away immediately so you can put it back on later for the ebay sale.
posted by Bradley at 8:08 PM on May 24, 2005
Bradley, how do you get your minutes then, if it's not a pre-paid plan? Or, do you get a plan, but without a contract?
posted by fionab at 10:13 PM on May 24, 2005
posted by fionab at 10:13 PM on May 24, 2005
Yes, Bradley, do tell. What carriers have you done this with?
posted by heydanno at 6:50 AM on May 26, 2005
posted by heydanno at 6:50 AM on May 26, 2005
Plans for my area seem to be around $40-$50 for up to 500 minutes. How is that pricewise? Should I be looking for something cheaper? I'm used to paying $20 for my land line.
Virgin Mobile will let you carry a prepaid plan for as little as $20 every 90 days (assuming you don't use all your minutes).
posted by grateful at 7:02 AM on May 27, 2005
Virgin Mobile will let you carry a prepaid plan for as little as $20 every 90 days (assuming you don't use all your minutes).
posted by grateful at 7:02 AM on May 27, 2005
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by grateful at 11:03 AM on May 24, 2005