mp3 player / cell phone

[CheesePoofs]

I need to get a new cell phone and I've been looking into getting a mp3 player for a while, so I've been thinking of just trying to combine the two. I don't need much in the way of storage capacity for an mp3 player as I don't think I'll use it too much, I have about 2gb of music I regularly listen to.

Is it worth getting one of the feature-laden cell phones that has music playing capability? As in is the sound quality alright, and can you load music onto the phone without paying any more money?

And any ideas mp3 playing phones are good? I've been looking at the LG VX8600 and the new LG Chocolate (which is a bit too flashy for my likes, but if it works ...)

Thanks!

 

[caivoma]

If you use CDMA phone (aka verizon and sprint), then i dont know much about them.
If you use GSM phone (aka sprint and tmobile), you can try the walkman series from Sony Ericsson, and you can buy a M2 card to put it in for more music storage.
i currently have a w580i and it is extremely easy to load the music in (the phone is unlocked though) and the sound quality is good (i am not an audiophile btw).

 

[Spoooon]

I got a vx8550 a week ago. Like you, I kind of prefer a less flashy phone. Of course, now that I have it, I think it's pretty damn cool. Once you have a mem card, you just format it with the phone, then load it with mp3s. No problems so far.

Edit: As far as flashiness goes, it's really pretty understated when you turn off the scroll wheel lights.

 

[Spicedaddy]

I have a Sony Ericsson W810i with a 4GB card, and I love it.

 

[CheesePoofs]

Sadly I have to go with Verizon, so only CDMA for me ... no sony walkman things.

 

[caivoma]

Verizon cripple their phones pretty hard. you can try to look up more information on Bitpim (sp?) and see whether you can load mp3 on verizon phones. I dont know much about Verizon phones at all. good luck

 

[imported_Imp]

I have a Nokia 6275i (not available in US), which can play MP3s, but I just don't do it. I stopped using a portable player after my el cheapo Muvo broke, and went on to purchase a $800 stereo. However, if I were to start again, I'd just spring for an iPod/Zen. Those aren't exactly all that expensive, are very portable/small and built purely for music. I've checked reviews for many MP3 phones, and sound quality ranges from "adequate" to the occasional "good". Also, I don't want to put any extra strain/wear on my phone.