Good Cell phone/Smartphone?

[wviperw]

I've finally broken down and decided to buy a cell phone. I was also potentially going to buy a PDA. Since I've never had either at the moment, I'm thinking maybe a smartphone is the way to go. However, I haven't convinced myself that I really need the PDA capabilities because, quite frankly, I've never used a PDA before to know whether it would *work* for me.

So what phones do you guys recommend that are either smartphones, or at least be able to schedule minor tasks? My budget is around $200 and I think I'm going to go with either Verizon or Cingular. Also, I'd prefer a flip phone. Other than that, I have no clue what I want. The Motorola RAZR V3 looks kinda cool. As does the MPX220, although that is probably out of my price range.

*OR* should I just go with the cheapest possible phone out there, as even the cheap ones seem pretty good. For example, Amazon has quite a few where you get paid like 100 bucks. Maybe I should do that and just scratch the whole PDA idea?

 

[tami]

treo 650.

but you'll learn that there are many people here who would rather have a cell phone with a microsoft OS on it. as for me, it's nice to take a break.

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: wviperw
I've finally broken down and decided to buy a cell phone. I was also potentially going to buy a PDA. Since I've never had either at the moment, I'm thinking maybe a smartphone is the way to go. However, I haven't convinced myself that I really need the PDA capabilities because, quite frankly, I've never used a PDA before to know whether it would *work* for me.

So what phones do you guys recommend that are either smartphones, or at least be able to schedule minor tasks? My budget is around $200 and I think I'm going to go with either Verizon or Cingular. Also, I'd prefer a flip phone. Other than that, I have no clue what I want. The Motorola RAZR V3 looks kinda cool. As does the MPX220, although that is probably out of my price range.

*OR* should I just go with the cheapest possible phone out there, as even the cheap ones seem pretty good. For example, Amazon has quite a few where you get paid like 100 bucks. Maybe I should do that and just scratch the whole PDA idea?

The V3 isn't a smartphone really. The mpx220 is nice...what PDA capabilities do you need? I have the mpx220, but got a treo and use it now. The treo is far superior to the mpx as far as features go. Windows mobile is nice though...familiar. Last time I saw the MPX220 on sale is was free after rebates when you activate it.

 

[ironcrotch]

I'm waiting for the Samsung i730, but if it turns out to be lame, I'd say the Treo 650

 

[wviperw]

-treo 650 isn't a flip phone (and costs too much AFAIK)

-the mpx220 has been FAR?? Cheapest I've seen has been over 200.

-I don't know what PDA capabilities I need b/c I've never used one. I think I *might* need the ability to add random notes-to-self throughout the day and the ability to schedule "appointments" (I'm still in college). Beyond that I'm not sure what else a PDA can do that I would need. I'd check my e-mail and surf the internet on a PDA phone except I don't think I want to pay an extra 30 or 40 bucks a month for data service.

 

[imported_Mike]

The Treo can be had for under $300 with act. Buy.com had the MPX220 FAR a while back, dunno if they still do. IMO sounds like you don't need a smartphone...

 

[tami]

i know you'd rather prefer a flip phone -- i've had one in the past, but when i switched to my treo, it was worth it. it may be a bit of an adjustment, but for the features, you can sacrifice the flip imo.

it's all up to you.

 

[wviperw]

The MPX220 isn't even listed on buy.com anymore. Cheapest I see it on froogle for is 250.

 

[Qwest]

AudioVox Smt 5600
Should run much less than $200, awesome candy-bar style smartphone.

 

[SP33Demon]

I'm thinking of getting the LG VX8000 from Verizon today. Anyone know anything about this phone? It got good reviews on Amazon.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: SP33Demon
I'm thinking of getting the LG VX8000 from Verizon today. Anyone know anything about this phone? It got good reviews on Amazon.

It's a good phone, but it's replacement is due out soon.

 

[Ciber]

Treo 650.

Flip Phones are for girls!

 

[SP33Demon]

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: SP33Demon
I'm thinking of getting the LG VX8000 from Verizon today. Anyone know anything about this phone? It got good reviews on Amazon.

It's a good phone, but it's replacement is due out soon.

The VX8100?

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: SP33Demon

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: SP33Demon
I'm thinking of getting the LG VX8000 from Verizon today. Anyone know anything about this phone? It got good reviews on Amazon.

It's a good phone, but it's replacement is due out soon.

The VX8100?

Yes!!! The style is a bit different, but it has bluetooth. Verizon will cripple it, but you can't beat it for handsfree use.

 

[SP33Demon]

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: SP33Demon

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: SP33Demon
I'm thinking of getting the LG VX8000 from Verizon today. Anyone know anything about this phone? It got good reviews on Amazon.

It's a good phone, but it's replacement is due out soon.

The VX8100?

Yes!!! The style is a bit different, but it has bluetooth. Verizon will cripple it, but you can't beat it for handsfree use.

If all it has more is Bluetooth, then no biggie. I just wonder if it'll be smaller, and have a better batt life.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I think you get more mins for your money on TMobile with free digital roaming on Cingular's Network. It's like getting 2 sets of tours for the price of 1.

I was getting 600 mins a month for $39 +tax. They offered me 800 mins a month for the same price when I cancelled my service last week. I'm going to a prepaid to cut costs since I don't use it much anymore.

 

[Jzero]

You may be a good candidate for a Sidekick which has great web and chat features and mediocre PDA functionality, but it is not offered by Cingular or Verizon.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: SP33Demon

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: SP33Demon

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: SP33Demon
I'm thinking of getting the LG VX8000 from Verizon today. Anyone know anything about this phone? It got good reviews on Amazon.

It's a good phone, but it's replacement is due out soon.

The VX8100?

Yes!!! The style is a bit different, but it has bluetooth. Verizon will cripple it, but you can't beat it for handsfree use.

If all it has more is Bluetooth, then no biggie. I just wonder if it'll be smaller, and have a better batt life.

It also has an miniSD , and stereo speakers. Here's some pics of it.

 

[wviperw]

I'm looking at smartphones from Verizon and it appears there may be some kind of extra fee associated with email/IM/surfing the web? Is this true? There appears to be the "Mobile Web by VZW with MSN" which costs an extra $5/mo as well as a "PDA/Smartphone" feature which costs up to another $44.99/mo and seems to be based on the amount of data sent. I guess I don't understand what services you need to be able to access email/IM/web. Are they saying you need your normal phone plan (~$50) + Mobile Web ($5) + PDA/Smartphone ($45) = $100/mo? This is *way* too much if it is true.

 

[lavagirl669]

I love my V3....its a cool phone

 

[Mojoed]

How long has the Treo 650 been available?

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: Mojoed
How long has the Treo 650 been available?

GSM since Feb IIRC, just came out this last week for verizon.

 

[Mojoed]

Originally posted by: CheapArse

Originally posted by: Mojoed
How long has the Treo 650 been available?

GSM since Feb IIRC, just came out this last week for verizon.

Thanks.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: wviperw
I'm looking at smartphones from Verizon and it appears there may be some kind of extra fee associated with email/IM/surfing the web? Is this true? There appears to be the "Mobile Web by VZW with MSN" which costs an extra $5/mo as well as a "PDA/Smartphone" feature which costs up to another $44.99/mo and seems to be based on the amount of data sent. I guess I don't understand what services you need to be able to access email/IM/web. Are they saying you need your normal phone plan (~$50) + Mobile Web ($5) + PDA/Smartphone ($45) = $100/mo? This is *way* too much if it is true.

Yes, this is somewhat correct. You would need a plan to make calls, and then a plan for data. Their data plans are $29.99 for 10MB, or $49.99 for unlimited data. I don't think the mobile web charge is for PDA/ Smartphones, because you don't need it if you have a data plan.

 

[wviperw]

Well I think I've narrowed it down to the following 3 phones (from Verizon):

Samsung i600 - $100 AR
LG VX8000 - $130 AR
Motorola V710 - negative $25 AR