Author Topic: Let's talk cell phones (Read 2732 times)

CrystalGemini · « **on:** January 14, 2011, 04:32:33 PM »

So my family's plan will be up for renewal in three months so I thought I'd get an early jump on research. I will be using the phone a lot for email, text, maps/directions, pictures, and of course phone calls. I have a nice Canon camera but I really liked the convenience of being able to take decent quality pictures with my current phone without carrying extra equipment with me (I currently have the Sony Ericsson C905a which has an 8.1MP camera). It's very handy when I have to do site surveys for work and keeps me light on my feet - it sucks to carry a bunch of stuff with me when having to measure project sites and make notes.

Current Phone:

I really don't keep up with this stuff very well (this is the first phone I get with a data plan - yeah I know I'm behind on the times) so any advice would be appreciated.

I hear the iPhone 3 just dropped in price to $49 which sounds like an awesome deal. Not really liking how I will be downgraded to a 3MP camera but I am liking how it may make overall communication easier. And yes I realize they will probably be announcing a new iPhone soon but buying all the newest gadgets isn't really a priority for me.

Groogrux · « **Reply #1 on:** January 14, 2011, 06:55:36 PM »

If you choose an iPhone, at least go with the latest version. If you're going to pay money for a good phone, get one that will last a while. They just stopped making updates for the 3G, but those have been around for over 3 years now. That's a decent life-span for a phone.

CrystalGemini · « **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2011, 07:11:52 PM »

Quote from: andrwfields on January 14, 2011, 06:55:36 PM

If you choose an iPhone, at least go with the latest version. If you're going to pay money for a good phone, get one that will last a while. They just stopped making updates for the 3G, but those have been around for over 3 years now. That's a decent life-span for a phone.

What are the benefits of having the latest version? Are updates for the 3G vital to the prolonging the life of the phone itself?

Akala · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2011, 07:37:22 PM »

much much higher resolution and a much better camera. very much an upgrade over the 3gs.

CrystalGemini · « **Reply #4 on:** January 14, 2011, 08:16:09 PM »

Thanks for the advice!

Quote from: andrwfields on January 14, 2011, 06:55:36 PM

If you're going to pay money for a good phone, get one that will last a while. They just stopped making updates for the 3G, but those have been around for over 3 years now. That's a decent life-span for a phone.

Definitely good to know.

Quote from: Akala on January 14, 2011, 07:37:22 PM

much much higher resolution and a much better camera. very much an upgrade over the 3gs.

Hmmm....

the iPhone 4G has a 5MP camera with two cameras for videochat which is cool but not necessary for work purposes. 5MP is decent but still doesn't measure up to the 8MP my current phone has or to the 14MP of my Canon. HD video recording which is cool but again not necessary. It does have 32GB of memory which could come in handy if I decide to use it as a portable storage device (I already have a 160GB Seagate - but it would be convenient).

At $199, I am not sure the $150 price difference between the 3G and 4G is worth the cost. Lots of flashy features - none of which are necessary for my line of work.

Any non-Apple suggestions?

rodi · « **Reply #5 on:** January 15, 2011, 06:56:11 AM »

Blackberry.

Third · « **Reply #6 on:** January 15, 2011, 08:03:28 AM »

I have a Blackberry Bold 9000 and a Sony Ericsson X10.

Both amazing phones and complement each other well.

Iphone

AdmiralViscen · « **Reply #7 on:** January 15, 2011, 08:53:36 AM »

If you are specifically looking for a good camera why would you get the 3GS when the 4 has among the best camera's on the market lol

Also if you are prepared to spend $30 per month extra for 24 months, the $150 up front cost difference is small potatoes. Just get the better phone.

AdmiralViscen · « **Reply #8 on:** January 15, 2011, 08:53:56 AM »

..Meaning the Droid X LOL

brawndolicious · « **Reply #9 on:** January 15, 2011, 05:07:35 PM »

I would suggest the samsung galaxy phones, I'm probably going to get the epic as my next phone since my contract is up in May. The epic is the most expensive of that line but it is cheaper than the iphone 4.

It has a 5MP camera, 1 Ghz processor, a slide-out physical keyboard if you prefer those and it also has swype texting for the touchscreen's keypad which is the fastest way to send a text but it takes a few days to get used to those. Compared to the iphone 4 the screen is slightly larger but it's resolution is lower.

MCD · « **Reply #10 on:** January 15, 2011, 11:23:52 PM »

Samsung Focus.

Maximus · « **Reply #11 on:** January 16, 2011, 05:02:42 PM »

http://www.amazon.com/HTC-Wildfire-Unlocked-Smartphone-Screen--International/dp/B003N17IJ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1295214910&sr=8-1

I have this phone, its esssentially a stripped down version of the HTC Desire, I'm much the same as you I dont need the next big technology, just something that will last me a few years and isnt a brick in tech terms at the same time.
The phone is a nice middle ground, its currently running on Android 2.2, I dont see why it wont get the 2.3 eventually, but I'm not sure if it will be on the list for android 3.0 updates when they come around.
I dont know if its on any data plans over in America though, it seems to be more popular in europe.
Its a grand phone though for the price, has everything the desire has except for the screen resolution and the speed.

brob · « **Reply #12 on:** January 16, 2011, 07:22:31 PM »

lost my phone on friday. A friend convinced me to buy a galaxy, but looking at that wildfire, it does everything I need from a phone and then some. Hopefully I'll be able to find one in stores tomorrow.

Corporal · « **Reply #13 on:** January 16, 2011, 07:26:57 PM »

A friend owns a HTC Desire, and I like it quite a bit, but ever since his wife to be got a Motorola defy I'm in love with that.

Only downside that there are apparently problems with shitty build quality. The "ear-side" speaker just stops working for roughly 30% of the handsets from the first shipment(s?). Motorola has acknowledged that fault and started a send-in repair dealio (at least here in Germany), but it still sucks.

And fuck it, I'm still on the fence about the iphone 4. Painfully expensive. Then again... they have me by the balls. I want, nay, need new Apple hardware. My old Powermac G5 just doesn't cut it anymore.

Herr Mafflard · « **Reply #14 on:** January 19, 2011, 05:35:51 AM »

I also need to make a decision on a new phone, 'bore. I have wittled it down to 2 contenders though. Help me decide which one to get.
Google Nexus One

OR
HTC Trophy 7

I've never used an Android or Windows 7 phone before, so which, do you think will have a better user experience?

AdmiralViscen · « **Reply #15 on:** January 19, 2011, 08:37:29 AM »

Android does more and is more customizable. WP7 is a smoother and more consistent interface.

Shaka Khan · « **Reply #16 on:** January 19, 2011, 08:38:41 AM »

Nexus One is still worth considering? I thought Nexus S was the shit these days.

Herr Mafflard · « **Reply #17 on:** January 19, 2011, 08:45:58 AM »

The comparisons I've seen between the Nexus One and the Nexus S doesn't make them seem all that different. And it seems HTC build quality > Samsungs.

Also Nexus One is getting 2.3 update in the coming weeks.

Quote from: AdmiralViscen on January 19, 2011, 08:37:29 AM

Android does more and is more customizable. WP7 is a smoother and more consistent interface.

I'm sorta leaning for the Android phone at this point, more for the fact that Nexus One looks a superior phone to the HTC Trophy, even though they're around the same price point.

fistfulofmetal · « **Reply #18 on:** January 19, 2011, 10:04:53 AM »

i really dont like the interface ont he windows 7 phone.

lordmaji · « **Reply #19 on:** January 19, 2011, 10:14:32 AM »

&

The hacks/options/etc you can do with these phones are awesome! the fact that WebOS is a unix based OS makes it easy as hell for people to make great apps for it for free. I've done shit w/ this phone no other phones allow without paying for it. Gotta love being able to tether your phone to your laptop using your unlimited data plan (becomes a modem) and not having pay extra for the "mobile hotspot".

That's only part, they have several different WebOS (user made) kernals that allows you to overclock the phone, or under clock to save battery life. Great phone because of all the extra shit you can do w/ it. If you couldn't do all you could with it, then it'd just be a OK phone.

Arbys Roast Beef Sandwich · « **Reply #20 on:** January 19, 2011, 03:15:30 PM »

Just moved up to this phone:

The HTC Desire Z/T-Mobile G2.

Pretty smexy stuff. I need a physical keyboard because I take a ton of notes down while I'm at meetings.

Shaka Khan · « **Reply #21 on:** January 19, 2011, 03:22:25 PM »

Yeah, Desire Z is sweet, Desire HD would've been the shit if it had a physical keyboard. I'm also not sure of its availability in the US.

Bloodwake · « **Reply #22 on:** January 22, 2011, 03:06:41 PM »

I'm carrying around a Blackberry Torch these days.

I love it so far, but my last phone was a Blackjack II and that was one of the biggest pieces of shit I've ever had in my life.

It really doesn't have a lot of space for on phone memory either. I think it's just a gig or so. (EDIT: 512 MB internal memory with a 4 GB microSD card) So if you are looking for a phone with a lot of onboard storage space, this probably isn't it. It also has a 5 megapixel camera though, and it takes decent pictures.

naff · « **Reply #23 on:** January 22, 2011, 09:45:24 PM »

Quote from: InfectedGib on January 19, 2011, 05:35:51 AM

I've never used an Android or Windows 7 phone before, so which, do you think will have a better user experience?

WP7 has games with achievements.

Android is better in most other regards from what I've seen. Get a nexus one

recursivelyenumerable · « **Reply #24 on:** January 24, 2011, 01:08:18 AM »

I just bought a Dell Venue Pro (WP7). It's pretty sweet. Zune Pass is kinda the best thing ever

recursivelyenumerable · « **Reply #25 on:** January 24, 2011, 01:12:18 AM »

Quote from: fistfulofmetal on January 19, 2011, 10:04:53 AM

i really dont like the interface ont he windows 7 phone.

have you actually used one?

G The Resurrected · « **Reply #26 on:** January 24, 2011, 01:54:55 AM »

How is Gmail on WP7? I was thinking about dropping my HTC hero for a WP7 phone. WP7 doesn't have the support behind it yet though in the software department but I think that will come to pass in a few months or in the next year.

recursivelyenumerable · « **Reply #27 on:** January 24, 2011, 02:07:52 AM »

I have gmail, it works fine, as far as reading/writing/replying goes. You give it your account info and everything just works (it syncs your contacts with the People hub too). If you want to, like, manage your account from the phone, or generally do anything other than reading/writing/replying, you're mostly out of luck as far as I know. (well, you can delete messages and move them between folders, but you can't create folders or fancy rules or anything).

MCD · « **Reply #28 on:** January 24, 2011, 02:36:09 AM »

Quote from: recursivelyenumerable on January 24, 2011, 01:08:18 AM

I just bought a Dell Venue Pro (WP7). It's pretty sweet. Zune Pass is kinda the best thing ever

Welcome to the social.

Been loving my Sammy Focus for a while now but WE NEED MORE FREQUENT UPDATES, DAMMIT.

T-Short · « **Reply #29 on:** January 24, 2011, 08:01:29 AM »

Quote from: CrystalGemini on January 14, 2011, 08:16:09 PM

the iPhone 4G has a 5MP camera with two cameras for videochat which is cool but not necessary for work purposes. 5MP is decent but still doesn't measure up to the 8MP my current phone has or to the 14MP of my Canon.

late to the discussion here, but this sort of thinking is totally rudimentary, megapixel race in phone cameras is pointless. optics and sensor size/gain/quality are the things that matter. check out a review site to see example pics instead of looking at a dumb MP number.

fistfulofmetal · « **Reply #30 on:** January 24, 2011, 01:45:46 PM »

Quote from: recursivelyenumerable on January 24, 2011, 01:12:18 AM

Quote from: fistfulofmetal on January 19, 2011, 10:04:53 AM
i really dont like the interface ont he windows 7 phone.

have you actually used one?

nope. coming purely from watching it being used. don't like the way it looks.

Herr Mafflard · « **Reply #31 on:** January 24, 2011, 05:18:53 PM »

Posting this from my new Nexus One

I couldn't see the benefit of the track ball at first, but man it really helps when you want click on tiny scrunched up links when browsing.

Hitler Stole My Potato · « **Reply #32 on:** January 25, 2011, 09:27:12 AM »

I really need to make a decision on a new phone since my contract with AT&T for my iPhone is coming to an end in March. I'm not sure I want to go with the iPhone 4G....for me the iPhone isn't a big deal anymore. I don't game on the thing and after 2 years I still suck at texting on it. I'd rather just have something like an Android or a Win7 phone. I just don't want to have to pay >115$ a month + data fees for a single plan again.

CrystalGemini · « **Reply #33 on:** April 19, 2011, 10:12:13 PM »

Ended up getting the HTC Inspire:

Pretty sweet so far but I've only had it for like...an hour so we'll see.

FatalT · « **Reply #34 on:** April 20, 2011, 02:23:12 AM »

My contract ran out in February and I picked up an iPhone 4. I'm with Verizon so it was my first opportunity to be able to get one with Verizon, actually. I LOVE it and wouldn't have gotten any other phone. It's also my first data plan phone.

CrystalGemini · « **Reply #35 on:** April 20, 2011, 03:12:00 AM »

Quote from: FatalT on April 20, 2011, 02:23:12 AM

It's also my first data plan phone.

Me too!

Groogrux · « **Reply #36 on:** April 20, 2011, 10:05:18 AM »

The wife and I will probably pick up iPhone 4's or 5's (if they're out by then) sometime this fall when we become eligible to upgrade with Verizon.

Mupepe · « **Reply #37 on:** April 20, 2011, 10:33:30 AM »

My WP7 supports transparent wallpapers

MCD · « **Reply #38 on:** April 20, 2011, 11:23:39 AM »

Did you update it to NoDo, Mupepe?

Marketplace no longer freezes for me among other fixes. Shit is stable as fuck now.

Bring on Mango.

Mupepe · « **Reply #39 on:** April 20, 2011, 12:48:36 PM »

yessir. Got NoDo a few weeks ago. Games load super fast, movies too. I did a comparison with my wife's phone before upgrading hers too. My flixter, netflix and imdb apps all loaded like 15 seconds faster than hers. Facebook too. Can't wait for Mango!

Brehvolution · « **Reply #40 on:** April 20, 2011, 01:38:49 PM »

15 seconds?

Mupepe · « **Reply #41 on:** April 20, 2011, 01:57:05 PM »

Quote from: Zero Hero on April 20, 2011, 01:38:49 PM

15 seconds?

well 15 seconds may have been a bit of an exaggeration

but it was a hell of a long time difference. Mine takes a couple of seconds where hers was multitudes longer. I never realized how slow some of the stuff ran before we got the update.

MCD · « **Reply #42 on:** April 20, 2011, 02:04:16 PM »

http://wmpoweruser.com/nodo-game-loading-speeds-analyzed-for-htc-devices/

No exaggeration at all.

Mupepe · « **Reply #43 on:** April 20, 2011, 02:07:39 PM »

oh thank god i'm not crazy

recursivelyenumerable · « **Reply #44 on:** June 30, 2011, 06:01:26 AM »

Mango beta get. My favorite feature is the multilingual keyboard with Japanese input, which lets me conveniently text my sister with weeaboo emoticons.

AdmiralViscen · « **Reply #45 on:** June 30, 2011, 10:14:48 AM »

I think im gonna get a thunderbolt

Cerveza mas fina · « **Reply #46 on:** June 30, 2011, 11:28:45 AM »

Best phone out there at the moment. Samsung Galaxy S2.

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #47 on:** June 30, 2011, 11:41:51 AM »

'Tis is a pretty badass phone, I've played around with it at work as one of our test units.

News:

Author Topic: Let's talk cell phones (Read 2732 times)