Cell Phone Recommendations

December 28, 2005 8:18 AM

CellPhoneFilter: I would like to get a PDA style phone that is able to function as a phone well while also giving me good access to web-features (email, txt, browser, even potentially messenger). Bluetooth would be required if the phone isn't easy to use held up to my face. Any carrier is cool. Does anyone have a glowing recomendation or a warning against certain devices?

And for the record I am currently a Sprint user. I have looked around on Howardforums and Sprintpcsinfo, but I am feeling like howardforums in particular isn't giving me a Top-Rated phone recommendation. Instead it seems to offer gives a long list of conflicting reviews on every phone available.

posted by aburd to computers & internet (12 comments total)

The new windows mobile based Treo 700w will be out for Verizon in Janaury, aswell as the Samsung SCH-i830, both have received good reviews and seem quite spiffy.
posted by blue_beetle at 8:48 AM on December 28, 2005

I'm in the industry and have to say that there are some very nice devices out there. For the first time I feel like there is actually have a choice in the U.S. of powerful gadgets.

In general, if you want control over your phone (for example the ability to get data off it easily) then I suggest steering clear of Verizon. Also, be sure to actually hold and play with a device before you buy it as you may have a surprising tactile response--for example, the RAZR looks cool but I personally hate the way it feels in my hand or when I'm talking on it.

Some phones to check out (I've personally played around with all of these):

* My current phone is the Nokia 6682, which is available on Cingular. I like it a lot but it may not be "PDA-enough" for you. I browse using Opera, text, but don't use email or messenger (both are supported but I find them clunky on this device). There were some firmware issues with the earliest models, but these have been resolved.

* If you don't mind the size, everyone I know that has a SideKick II just loves it. That requires that you're on T-Mobile, make sure you have good coverage for whatever carrier you're choosing.

* A year ago I would not have considered recommending a Windows Mobile phone, but the fact is that they've gotten very good and there are several interesting models out there. The i-Mate SP5M is a sweet sweet device. i-Mates are unsubsidized/unlocked so you can use them on any GSM carrier, but the trade-off is that they are pricely. The Sprint PPC-6700 (by Audiovox/UTC Starcomm) is a bit boxy but has a very cool slide out QWERTY keyboard and a screen that rotates to landscape if you want to be emailing/IMing/etc. Released just before Christmas, the Cingular 2125 (an update of the first Windows Mobile phone to get it right, the Audiovox SMT 5600)--it is very small, great screen, and looks like it'll be a real winner in the market.

There will be a flurry of new devices announced at CES next week as well, but it's easy to get device anxiety 'cause there is always something cooler coming out in "a few months."

Some devices to stay away from: The Treo 650 and MPX220 have all had, in my experience, quality issues that should rule them out. The Treo 700w that blue_beetle mentions should be a nice device (I've only seen prototype), but it's also the first production model based on Windows and you may or may not want to bet they'll get it right the first time.
posted by donovan at 9:38 AM on December 28, 2005

While this may not help specifically answer your question by saving you research, you might want to know about the website PhoneScoop, as it is probably the best source of news on mobile phones. I believe they even used to (and may still) have a phone selector where you tell it what features you want, and it gives you the phones that fit those features.
posted by twiggy at 9:47 AM on December 28, 2005

I second donovan on the Audiovox SMT5600. I just got one on eBay refurbished for $180, and it's just fantastic. Windows Smartphone 2003 Second Edition, bluetooth, great screen, good RF reception and battery life, etc.
posted by Ekim Neems at 10:01 AM on December 28, 2005

I've had a Sony Ericsson P900 for about a year now and it is awesome. It can work as a one-handed phone or with the flip down, as a stylus-based PDA. The mail and built-in browser apps are functional, and you can download Opera for it. The OS (Symbian) has a strong developer community who have created several interesting apps you can run on the phone by simply transfering the file to the phone. One of the best is AgileMessenger, a multi-protocol IM app. The current version is the P910 or P990. My only real gripes about it: a) the battery life when connected to the Internet is not very good (but in phone/sms mode it's fine), and b) it's a bit large (but no larger than a Treo)
posted by todbot at 10:09 AM on December 28, 2005

If you don't mind the size, everyone I know that has a SideKick II just loves it. That requires that you're on T-Mobile, make sure you have good coverage for whatever carrier you're choosing.

I had the very first Sidekick and while I loved it to death as a device (though it had some flaws) the final killer for me was T-Mobile's complete inability to provide any worthwhile support. In fairness, this was a new device providing a whole different kind of service features than they had ever had before. Perhaps they've gotten up to speed since then, but it was enough for me to walk away from TMo and the SK at the end of the year and never look back.
posted by phearlez at 10:13 AM on December 28, 2005

Count me among the Sidekick II lovers. I have had zero problems with Tmobile, having had the it since January-ish.

Having the always-on internet connectivity is really great, and the over-the-air syncing via 'The Missing Sync' on osx works wonderfully.

I got mine via amazon and there were $200 of mail-in rebates on a $125 phone.
posted by AaronRaphael at 10:53 AM on December 28, 2005

I have a friend who had a Sidekick and she just hated it. She said it was nearly impossible to use as a phone. I watched her try to use it as a phone (without a headset) and the whole process looked pretty awkward. I believe she also had some Customer Service issues with T-Mobile as a company. Thus I have been a bit scared off from the company and the product. I probably should have mentioned that above.
posted by aburd at 11:00 AM on December 28, 2005

I have the Motorola a630, and I love it. Sort of like a SideKick light; the calendar app isn't great, but for messaging, browsing, and and text, it's the best combination of small size and features for my needs.
posted by snickerdoodle at 2:20 PM on December 28, 2005

There are plenty of devices that are superior to the Sidekick II, but almost all of them require you to use a stylus. That may seem quite inconsequential at first, but being able to interact with your device by simply using your hands is a major advantage.
posted by JPowers at 3:11 PM on December 28, 2005

I like my Blackberry 7290 - but that may soon not be an option for you US folks.
posted by jkaczor at 4:33 PM on December 28, 2005

I have to second the "No Treo 650" on donovan's post. I've come to realize that it's the best gadget out there for what it claims to do, but only when it actually works. If they could fix the hardware/firmware/software bugs it would be awesome considering its wide acceptance and price point today.

I'm falling in love with the i-mate K-JAM/qtek 9100 but I can't justify the US$658 local price, although I've certainly tried.

I'll be at the upcoming CES in Vegas so I can at least see the phones I'll bypass tomorrow simply to have one that works today.
posted by marc1919 at 4:42 PM on December 28, 2005