Help me choose a new Verizon phone

December 9, 2005 10:08 AM

I need a new mobile phone on the Verizon network. What do you recommend?

Well, technically "need" may be a bit strong. Mine is getting long in the tooth, has some cracks and serious wear, is clunkly as hell, but still works. I like it, but I'm concerned about it's ability to stay together. I currently have the Samsung SCH-a610.

I'm considering the new Razr, which I like because it's a clamshell, has a camera, decent size screen and of course it's sexy.

I'm also considering the LG V, which has a bunch of great features, but is a candybar phone in most respects.

The other, more expensive option is the Samsung SCH-a970. Which seems to have a decided edge, but I'm not sure I want to spend that much.

Suggestions? Personal experience with any of these phones? Many thanks

posted by FlamingBore to technology (15 comments total)

I've got the LG VX8100 which does pretty much everything the V does, but in a small form factor. I've had it for a few months now and I quite like it.
posted by youcancallmeal at 10:15 AM on December 9, 2005

I have the same phone and I'm also looking to upgrade to a new phone with Verizon. Glad you asked!

Is Verizon selling the Razr now? I thought only Cingular and T-mobile offered it.
posted by geeky at 10:38 AM on December 9, 2005

mad props (whatever that means) to my LG VX8100, it's everything I ever wanted in a phone, and so much more.
posted by blue_beetle at 11:05 AM on December 9, 2005

Also, the Treo w700 will be out in a month or two for Verizon. Now that's a phone!
posted by blue_beetle at 11:06 AM on December 9, 2005

geeky - they just started selling it this week. Only on the webstie right now. This version has a camera, which is what throws it into the running.

The Treo, while feature-packed is more phone than I want. too big, bulky and candy bar like.
posted by FlamingBore at 11:17 AM on December 9, 2005

Holy cow... I just saw the price of the Razr on the website. Even with my $100 towards an upgrade, I can't afford that phone! Damn :(
posted by geeky at 11:30 AM on December 9, 2005

Oh, geeky - you just made my day. I forgot all about that $100 toward the upgrade. But I may not be able to get that quite yet, I'll have to check on it.
posted by FlamingBore at 11:42 AM on December 9, 2005

The Razr is the Paris Hilton of phones: supposedly sexy but almost completely useless--I traded mine in after a frustrating 2 weeks. Motorola's address book software is AWFUL, really behind the times, and the flat design makes it akward to open and operate, esp with one hand--the tiny buttons are placed on the edge of the phone. Due to switching carriers I've had 6 phone of different makes, and the best was my Samsung A670, totally ergonomic design, all the right features, great sound, camera with flash. I've got a super featured Nokia 6682 now that does everything EXCEPT the 2 things I really want it too, and the software's so buggy they've recalled them. Samsung, I'm tellin ya.
posted by tula at 12:10 PM on December 9, 2005

I've got a LG 6100 w/ Verizon and it totally sucks. The sad thing is I waited so long to get a cell, and a month afterwards they launched the 8100 which is substantially more next-gen. I was miffed.
posted by prostyle at 12:41 PM on December 9, 2005

My Motorola V710 is a POS. Actually stay away from anything made by Motorola if you expect more than 6 months of use out of it.
posted by vaportrail at 1:48 PM on December 9, 2005

I have the E815 from Verizon, and I think it's a decent phone. I'm not sure how much it costs these days. It does video and all that crap if you buy a memory card or do a bit of hacking.

I've never had another cell phone, so I can't compare it to anything, but I must say that compared to all my friends' phones it gets really great reception. That was really what I was looking for in a phone, so I can't complain. The battery life is not that great though, I have to recharge it every couple of days with minimal usage.

I've also heard really bad things about the V710, I think Verizon has had a number of lawsuits over that phone.

A good resource for picking a new phone might be

HowardForums: Your Mobile Phone Community & Resource - VerizonWireless.HowardForums.com

Good luck!
posted by jefeweiss at 2:19 PM on December 9, 2005

I've been looking at Verizon phones too. Prices are from the Verizon website - they might be cheaper elsewhere, but is basically a ratio here. Reviews are from Mobiledia. I'm not looking at "The V" because it just feels weird to me (nice and scientific, I know), but these three are options right now:

Samsung SCH-a950
$200
4.55 oz -- medium weight
1.3 megapixel camera
most talk time
removable memory
mp3 player
Review

Samsung SCH-a970
$300
5.07 oz - biggest
2.0 megapixel camera (in the hinge) - with better zoom?
middle talk time
removable memory
mp3 player
Review

Motorola Razr V3c
$200
3.49 oz - smallest
1.3 megapixel camera
least talk time
no removable memory
no mp3 player
Review

A note that consumer Razr reviews are just starting to come in. Many say the same about the first round of Razrs - the sound quality is dubious and the construction is shoddy and they don't stand up to as much abuse as other phones. I'm still wooed by it though, it's just so cute and even fits in the pocket of my skinny jeans! This is why cell phones are an emotional purchase, not based on rationality - maybe other than those big PDA-style phones, which I'm not looking for.
posted by fionab at 2:25 PM on December 9, 2005

I totally agree with tula on the stupid Razr phone. Holy hell is it a piece of crap, especially the software. The battery life is shite as well, and is uber uber-shite if you leave the Bluetooth turned on. I'm a Sony-Ericsson fan myself -- really like them but I know that S-E phones tend to polarise people... Try one out if you can.
posted by lazywhinerkid at 4:19 PM on December 9, 2005

Just upgraded my VX-6000 the other day, after some considerable online research and asking friends: the consensus - and my choice - is the VX-8100. It has everything I need (phone, 1.3mp camera, MP3 player, mini-SD slot, 15-sec video, Mobile Web 2.0), and the price was right: free! That's $100 online discount, and $100 "new every two." It should arrive within the next day or two -- and I am very confident that it will be great. Our whole family uses LG phones (5 right now), and we really like them.

Good luck!
posted by davidmsc at 4:46 PM on December 9, 2005

What do you recommend?
I recommend that you peek at the latest Consumer Reports, which rates 33 cell phones. Your local library probably has a copy.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 5:41 PM on December 9, 2005