Best Sprint smart phone?

[krylon]

Sprint's selection is not so great when it comes to smart phones. What is Anandtech using on Sprint for texting, browsing, youtube, etc?

I've decided against waiting for a brand new phone that Sprint may be releasing sometime this year which would require me to pay a crazy amount as a first time adopter.

Instead, I need a great phone before the end of this month.

The Blackberry Curve looks excellent. Thoughts?

 

[pm]

've decided against waiting for a brand new phone that Sprint may be releasing sometime this year which would require me to pay a crazy amount as a first time adopter.

I presume that this is specifically regarding the Palm Pre - which is due to be released on Sprint some time in the next 30-60 days..? Most rumors are focused on mid-May.

Beyond that, I'd definitely agree that the Curve is excellent - especially for the price. It would be my top pick. Although the HTC Touch PRO is really impressive, but expensive.

 

[krylon]

Originally posted by: pm

've decided against waiting for a brand new phone that Sprint may be releasing sometime this year which would require me to pay a crazy amount as a first time adopter.

I presume that this is specifically regarding the Palm Pre - which is due to be released on Sprint some time in the next 30-60 days..? Most rumors are focused on mid-May.

Beyond that, I'd definitely agree that the Curve is excellent - especially for the price. It would be my top pick. Although the HTC Touch PRO is really impressive, but expensive.

Yep, but the one I was interested in most is the new Blackberry in Q3. A palm would be nice, but a Blackberry would allow me to tie into work on the road, so super bonus for that. And all of the HTC offers are just overpriced.

Doesn't seem like I can beat a Curve for $100 after savings/contract. The new Blackberry will probably be 2-3X that amount on launch?

 

[HopJokey]

I believe you are referring to the BlackBerry 9630 codenamed "Niagara":

http://crackberry.com/blackberry-9630-review

This will probably be the CDMA BB to get once it is released. It should be on Verizon first (rumors have it anywhere from May to July). I would say for Sprint look for it around Sept./Oct. The cost will probably be around $199-299 with 2 year contract (by comparison the BB Storm 9530 was $250 w 2/yr. on release with VZW and the BB Bold 9000 is $299 on AT&T).

It's also a "World Phone" meaning it will work on both CDMA and GSM networks. Useful for traveling international where most places use GSM.

 

[marmasatt]

I am on Sprint as well. And in the same boat. Perhaps we should both try one of these:

.

 

[boomhower]

I have a Diamond and really like it. It is extremely customizable and works very well. The youtube app is top notch. But I agree $300 is to much, I bought mine off of ebay for $225 a couple months after they were released. It sounds like a BB is what you really want. There current offerings are a bit dated but you will be waiting quite a while for a new one. If the Pre interests you take a look at the new SERO. At $60 for unlimited everything(all messaging, GPS, TV, Data, BIS) with 500 minutes or $80 for 1000 minutes isn't exactly unreasonable by any stretch. N&W at 7 to boot.

 

[ShOcKwAvE827]

Hopefully the old SERO works with the pre. If not, I guess I have to go with the new SERO $60 plan. At least its $10 cheaper. I am looking for a sprint smartphone, but am waiting for the Pre and maybe see what the new iphone has in store.

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: krylon
Sprint's selection is not so great when it comes to smart phones.

Sprint's selection is actually pretty good these days.

If you're not interested in the Pre, the HTC Touch Pro or the Blackberry 8830 are both good choices.

 

[krylon]

Originally posted by: erwos

Originally posted by: krylon
Sprint's selection is not so great when it comes to smart phones.

Sprint's selection is actually pretty good these days.

If you're not interested in the Pre, the HTC Touch Pro or the Blackberry 8830 are both good choices.

Sprint selection sucks. You can't fool me.

 

[HopJokey]

Originally posted by: krylon

Originally posted by: erwos

Originally posted by: krylon
Sprint's selection is not so great when it comes to smart phones.

Sprint's selection is actually pretty good these days.

If you're not interested in the Pre, the HTC Touch Pro or the Blackberry 8830 are both good choices.

Sprint selection sucks. You can't fool me.

Haha.

I have a Curve 8330 and I love it. Once upgraded to OS 4.5 the built in browser is adequate, Bolt browser is great for viewing full featured web pages, messaging is awesome (push email, sms, mms, IM), and there are enough apps to keep me happy ( Pandora, games, etc. ). I also tether and get decent speeds ( it's EV-DO Rev 0 so I get 400Kbps down/80Kbps up, Rev A devices are faster they get up to 1 Mbps down/200Kbps up I believe [Storm and 9630 upcoming]).

It's not the newest kid on the block but it is rock solid and does everything I need in a phone very well (battery life is good, it's lightweight, reception is good for me [Verizon though]).

On Sprint it is probably the best value you can get. If you want to spend some bucks the HTC Touch Pro is pretty awesome I heard especially if you "flash" the ROM.

On other carriers you probably should get something newer like a Bold, iPhone, etc.

 

[krylon]

I only see the Titanium and Red 8330 Curve available. Does Sprint sell the black version? Refurb only, or have they never sold the black?

 

[HopJokey]

Originally posted by: krylon
I only see the Titanium and Red 8330 Curve available. Does Sprint sell the black version? Refurb only, or have they never sold the black?

Interesting I only see the Ti version as well.

I know two people with the 8330 with Sprint and it's the black version.

 

[ZetaEpyon]

Originally posted by: ShOcKwAvE827
Hopefully the old SERO works with the pre. If not, I guess I have to go with the new SERO $60 plan. At least its $10 cheaper. I am looking for a sprint smartphone, but am waiting for the Pre and maybe see what the new iphone has in store.

It depends on which of the old SERO plans you have, there are a couple. I just upgraded to an HTC Touch Pro, and was able to keep my $30 SERO plan because it was the variety that already had EV-DO support. Essentially, if you already have a phone with EV-DO, you're probably in the clear. If your plan doesn't have it, it's not something they can add, and you'll have to switch to a different plan.

 

[boomhower]

Originally posted by: ZetaEpyon

Originally posted by: ShOcKwAvE827
Hopefully the old SERO works with the pre. If not, I guess I have to go with the new SERO $60 plan. At least its $10 cheaper. I am looking for a sprint smartphone, but am waiting for the Pre and maybe see what the new iphone has in store.

It depends on which of the old SERO plans you have, there are a couple. I just upgraded to an HTC Touch Pro, and was able to keep my $30 SERO plan because it was the variety that already had EV-DO support. Essentially, if you already have a phone with EV-DO, you're probably in the clear. If your plan doesn't have it, it's not something they can add, and you'll have to switch to a different plan.

Not necessarily. With the Instinct they would not allow any SERO, it had to be an everything plan. We all know how bad that phone was, but the precedent is there and they may not allow any sero with the Pre.

 

[ShOcKwAvE827]

Yeah from what I've read on other forums, it seems sprint will be pushing hard for users to sign up for Everything plans, which start at $70.

 

[Naeeldar]

If the Pre delivers on being a great phone and it looks like it will, then I would get that.

Pre looks to be released next month and everybody has it labeled to be a phone that can actually compete with the iPhone. Price point is supposed to be comparable too.

Either way it might be worth waiting 3-4 weeks to see what comes out we shoudl get some set release dates for several Sprint phones.