Cool mobile phone worth waiting for?

February 7, 2006 8:52 AM

Thinking of replacing my cellphone soon, but wondering if I should be waiting for the next big thing...

I think I like the Motorola Razr (although I'm not crazy about its buttons), but I'm wondering if there's anything cooler on the horizon worth waiting for. I'd like a flip phone, preferably something slim. Bluetooth would be cool, but not necessary... and anything else I can think of, I'm pretty sure is standard on most phones now anyway. Camera is not a must, and I have a Palm Pilot, so a PDA phone like the Treo is overkill (and not slim anyway).

My carrier, for what it's worth, is Fido in Canada. And I use my cell as my primary phone as I don't have a landline.

(Are there websites that are up on the latest in cool phones?)

posted by Robot Johnny to technology (7 comments total)

I have the same question, same preferences as well - but my provider is Verizon in the US. I don't want to hijack this, but if anyone has any responses relevant to my carrier as well, could you please add them in?
posted by KAS at 8:57 AM on February 7, 2006

The V3i is going to be released soon, and the V3c has already been AFAIK. Also, the SLVR is the new candy-bar version. There's a PEBL that's a bit different but small. Every other thread about "find me a cell phone" also points to phonescoop, so I will too. Also howard chui's forums. or just search for cell phone forums, there's a ton.
posted by kcm at 9:03 AM on February 7, 2006

PhoneScoop has the "latest" information... usually has specs weeks-to-months before phones are released...

That said, I love my LG 8100. It was the "big thing" when it came out this summer, before the Razr hit Verizon. If you look at HowardForums.com, it's still one of the most talked-about phones out for Verizon. I even wrote a How-To on the phone, several days after I got it... learn how to put videos, use your bluetooth, lots of other stuff...
posted by hatsix at 9:08 AM on February 7, 2006

I'm in the same boat, Robot Johnny. My Telus contract expires on March 6th. Telus' phones are, almost without exception, lousy, and all of them are a couple of generations older than the new hotness. For example, the best Motorola they offer is the 710, but the next level up, the 840, is not offered by them (but is offered by Bell and Rogers). And even the 840 is about a generation worse than the cool new phones.

Problem with the Razr is that it doesn't have a memory card slot, unlike the 710 and 840, but I don't like the huge camera lens on the 710 and 840. I feel that if I spend $150 on an 840 (and be locked into a 3-year contract), a phone will be released in a year that will be so much more useful. I keep seeing amazingly cool phones on Gizmodo and Engadget that will inevitably be released here.

So, I guess that's my answer: yes, there are new phones coming that are much cooler than the Razr. Check out Engadget and Gizmodo.

Me, I'm going to go without a cell for a while, until I see a phone that I want, rather than settling for one.
posted by solid-one-love at 9:11 AM on February 7, 2006

I spied the Motorola PEBL at CES and I can tell you, it is absolutely gorgeous. If I hadn't just gotten a new phone, I probably would've tried to wait for it.

It doesn't look like much here, but it feels lovely in the hand.
posted by elisabeth r at 9:28 AM on February 7, 2006

I just went from a Treo 600 to a SLVR and so far is working the way i wanted. I had to downsize as i was stopping carrying the treo as it was just so large. The SLVR fits in the coin pocket of my jeans but still feels big enough to use. I added Opera Mini as the browser and after some playing/setting up i am feeling comfortable with it. It has a memory card slot as well .
posted by stuartmm at 10:11 AM on February 7, 2006

since you're on Fido, you can import any phone that uses the GSM network running on the 850/900/1900MHz frequency bands and simply pop your SIM card in and use it.

which phones Fido will offer with a carrier discount is anyone's guess, however, and your best bet is probably to head over to the the Fido section of HowardForums and ask what's up.
posted by heeeraldo at 11:15 AM on February 7, 2006