need a new cell phone, suggestions?

[cthomer5000]

I need a new cell phone. I got a new one through my phone company about 6 months back and lost it within a matter of weeks, meaning i had to go back to my old piece of crap. Now my old one is malfunctioning so badly that I really can no longer tolerate it.

Anyone have any suggestions for where to buy one? Is there anything I'm missing aside from the obvious web searches for the best price I can get on something?

And if you have any suggestions for specific models, go right ahead. I kind of liked the Motorloa Razr I had for all of a few weeks, so i'm probably going to lean back that way unless something else wows me.

Don't leave me hangin' on the telephone, FOFC

[Travis]

Depending on the extra features you want, I'd give the razr two thumbs up. I held onto my old phone for an extra 6 months while waiting for the razr to release in Canada and have not had any issues with it whatsoever. Mine is one of the old models too, so I don't have all the bells and whistles the newer ones have, but assuming the call quality is the same, I'd definitely go that way.

For anything newer though, I'd recommend cnet.com, been very happy with any products I've gotten based on their reviews.

[ISiddiqui]

The only problem I'm having with the RAZR is that my friends say it is harder to hear me on their phones compared to the phone I had before (an LG model).

[adubroff]

I am looking at the Samsung Blackjack. It has a few more doodads than the RAZR but if you're looking for extra features like web browsing/multimedia, it might be a cool choice too.

[damnMikeBrown]

I've had a krazr for about 4 months or so. I love it. It's much like the razr, but narrower. It fits my hand much better.

[Passacaglia]

I have an LG 8100, which I love because I can stick a mini-SD memory card in there, and play mp3's on that -- it's nice not to have to carry a phone AND mp3 player around with me all the time. And lurker has an LG 8600, which is a lot like the razr, but it's narrower -- she likes that a lot.

[Eaglesfan27]

I researched and then bought a Motorola E815 because I heard it has among the best reception of any cell phone while still having some nifty features. I've been very happy with my purchase and I've gotten reception inside buildings that I never used to be able to.

[jeff061]

No reason to get it if you don't want the email functionality, but I have a Motorola Q at work and I love it.

[Emiliano]

If you're looking for a "simple" phone, and you're not interested in other functionalities, I'd definitely recommend the Motorola V3 (RAZR) too. Very nice and clean design, light, gets the job done. I got a black one last Christmas, and I'm super-happy with it. Another good thing is that the base model should be pretty cheap by now. Also, Motorola's software has greatly improved over the years, and if it's not on Nokia's levels, it's right there in terms of being easy to use.

[vex]

What service provider do you go through?

[JeeberD]

I just got a RAZR a few weeks ago and am loving it. The only issue I have is the battery life, but they do have an extended life battery you can buy if you don't mind some extra bulk...

[cthomer5000]

What service provider do you go through?

t-mobile

[Logan]

I've had 3 LG phones over the past 6+ years, and honestly never had one problem. I wouldn't get another brand.

[Logan]

t-mobile

Is there a reason you're sticking with t-mobile? I know some people like the plans they offer...but pretty much everyone I know in our area agrees that Verizon has the best service.

[JeeberD]

Before my RAZR, I had an LG and it served me well for a couple of years. The only problem I had with it, was, once again, battery life. It was good for the first year and a half, but the last six months or so it blew monkeys...

[lordscarlet]

Is there a reason you're sticking with t-mobile? I know some people like the plans they offer...but pretty much everyone I know in our area agrees that Verizon has the best service.

Verizon phones suck ass.

[lordscarlet]

dola: I hate flip phones

[Subby]

I have a blackberry and a razr through t-mobile (both for work). The razr is a fantastic phone. I did my IHOF Radio interview with it :)

[Buccaneer]

You can get what I use. :)

http://www.countrytuscany.com/fotop/B2570G.jpg

[vex]

I have a V3c Razr and love it. Although you would have a bit different model(V3xx?) I would definitely recommend it. I'm a sales monkey for US Cellular and it's my favorite pick atm.

[Logan]

Verizon phones suck ass.

In your rush to get off your 1000th post, you missed a key point.

Is there a reason you're sticking with t-mobile? I know some people like the plans they offer...but pretty much everyone I know in our area agrees that Verizon has the best service.

:)

[Mustang]

I need to get a cell phone so, could use the info in this thread too.. only reason is because the wife is pregnant and with a kid on the way, she will feel better if she can reach me. Other than that.. I despise cell phones.

[cthomer5000]

service isn't up for debate here, just looking for a phone

[3ric]

I've got the Sony W810i and have not had a single problem. It's got quite a few features, and it isn't a flip phone which was a big selling point for me.

Seconded.

[Danny]

Only one way to go

http://www.1049jackfm.com/sitebuilder/images/OldCellPhone-345x267.jpg

[lordscarlet]

In your rush to get off your 1000th post, you missed a key point.



:)

Wow. I didn't even notice. :(

I know Verizon has the "best service", they're even the only ones that will work on the metro. However, their phone selection is so poor I won't use them. That was my point. :)

[wade moore]

I researched and then bought a Motorola E815 because I heard it has among the best reception of any cell phone while still having some nifty features. I've been very happy with my purchase and I've gotten reception inside buildings that I never used to be able to.

I'll second the E815 with a caveat...

Some people hate it for multiple reasons. The main one being that they say it's "too big"... personally, I carry it around in my pocket no problem and when it comes time to use it I actually like that there is something with substance in my hand.

The reception is overall fantastic and it has just enough features for a phone if you don't care about tons of web-browsing or anything (although I think it can do it? I personally wouldn't do web browsing unless it is a PDA phone).

Anyway... I like the phone, but if you're considering it you should go see it and it's size as it is a turn-off for some people.

[Eaglesfan27]

I'll second the E815 with a caveat...

Some people hate it for multiple reasons. The main one being that they say it's "too big"... personally, I carry it around in my pocket no problem and when it comes time to use it I actually like that there is something with substance in my hand.

The reception is overall fantastic and it has just enough features for a phone if you don't care about tons of web-browsing or anything (although I think it can do it? I personally wouldn't do web browsing unless it is a PDA phone).

Anyway... I like the phone, but if you're considering it you should go see it and it's size as it is a turn-off for some people.


It is always in my pocket and has never felt uncomfortable there. I also like that it is substantial when I hold it. I tend to drop little flimsy phones.

It can do web browsing and email without too much trouble and I've used it to email someone to submit an eNFL file for me once when my internet was out.

The reception is the key for me though. I used to live in an apartment building with a high amount of concrete and the E815 was the only phone that ever got good reception in it. Now, I find that I get excellent reception in almost any type of building.

[lordscarlet]

Um......not true. I've had Cingular since I moved back into the area 3 years ago and haven't had a single problem with reception, dropped calls etc. Verizon users occasionally do, but I don't. Part of the reason is having premium phones (had the Siemens S66 prior to the W810i). I also get reception in the most remote parts of of the Winchester/Berryville area when I go out there. Cingular is AT LEAST on par with Verizon for service at this point.

I said "best reception" not best reception. :) However, the statement about the metro is absolutely true.

[Toddzilla]

I've had 3 LG phones over the past 6+ years, and honestly never had one problem. I wouldn't get another brand."

[johnnyshaka]

I've got a Samsung A900 and love it. When my contract was up about 6 months ago I had my heart set on a Razr but after looking at this thing I decided to give the Samsung the nod. The major reason...the keypad. Both phones are very sleek and are roughly the same size...I think the Samsung is a hair smaller...but I preferred the keypad on the Samsung. One other difference was how they opened...the Razr needs to be opened from the side because the back of the phone overlaps the top whereas the Samsung can be opened via the bottom or the side.

[lordscarlet]

I've had no metro reception problems with the W810i (or the Siemens S66 for that matter).

You get reception underground with a service other than Verizon?

[lordscarlet]

I have not had a single place where I didn't have at least 2 bars of reception. I went back to Hawaii last summer and was on an island that only has Verizon and Nextel towers. That meant that the Cingular towers were at least 25 miles east and closer to 50 west, and I still had reception everywhere. I simply can't find a place where my phone doesn't pick up.

I don't know of a single person that gets reception inside the metro tunnels that is not a Verizon customer.

[Logan]

I don't know of a single person that gets reception inside the metro tunnels that is not a Verizon customer.

Same here. I'm not in DC very often (maybe 3-4 weeks a year for work), and when I'm on the Metro with co-workers, it's usually "Who here has Verizon? I need to make a call."