Switching to Verison. What phones don't suck? The enV3 apparently. Solved.

Improvolone

We're (family plan) getting a 2-year contract, so take a look through
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneOverviewByDevice&deviceType=Phones&sortOption=priceSort&lid=//global//phones+and+accessories//cell+phones
if you will.

We're getting unlimited texting, which is a new thing for us. I like useful features on phones but do understand that there will probably be no data package in our plan. Hey, I can't complain, I get a free phone out of the deal.

I've had a Samsung that was a piece of garbage and my current Sony is okay, but flimsy. I'd really rather have a clam shell design, my phones get kind of beat up and I hate it.

edit: Oh... I'm trying to keep it under $50. No super special Droid for me.

tsmvengy

I know lots of people who have the env3 and like it. It's good for texting.

I've had a samsung flip phone for a long time and I think it works just fine and isn't flimsy.

Don't get the Samsung Trance - I have a friend who has it and it is a piece of garbage.

Improvolone

Update?

Blackberry Curves are dirty cheap.
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=3745
But is it worth it to get one if I don't have a data package? The other phones I'm looking at are...
The HTC Zone
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=4848
Which I'm in a similar no-data package situation.
The Samsung Intensity
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=4988
and the LG enV3 thanks to the above comment
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=4786

SmokeStacks

If you get a PDA on Verizon I'm pretty sure you are required to get a data package. It's $30/unlimited.

The Curve is trash. They're super cheap for a reason. The Blackberry OS has a lot of memory issues, especially on low memory phones like the Curve, so after a while you're going to be soft-resetting pretty much once a day at the minimum. The trackball is a cool idea, but they're prone to sticking or just breaking outright.

Basically, when it comes to Blackberry devices, unless it says "Storm 2" or "Tour" in the name, don't bother.

On a side note, Blackberry handles all of the data services for their devices (not the carrier). This means that RIM (parent company) maintains any data use (web browsing, email, etc) on your device. There have been two major BIS (non-corporate) data outages in the past couple of months because RIM can't seem to keep their shit together, so that is another consideration.

On the plus side... well, email push is pretty cool.

Visti

I would stay away from the Ozone there. Even with the hacks HTC did to Win-Mo, it is still a terrible platform.

Improvolone

I was really leaning towards the HTC since it has wifi. Hmmm...

TehSloth

I actually picked myself up an Env3 recently, I'm quite fond of it except for the fact that it dials in my pockets way more than I'm used to, I should probably just set the keys to lock quicker. I use to have an Alias which I loved (except for the fact that it mysteriously died on me), but I'm not sure about the Alias2. I've got an iPod touch though, so wifi may be more useful to you than it is to me, I also haven't touched any of the multimedia whatnots on it. It's pretty solid overall, and the only things I really care about are if it'll sync up with my bluetooth headset, the bluetooth dongle on my PC so I can transfer pictures, take calls, and let me text easily. It does all that pretty well, and the fact that it uses a micro-usb to charge is pretty handy.

digitard

I have a Droid and love it!

On that note. If you do your digging you can probably get an authorized retailer, or store, to get you the HTC Droid Eris for about 50. Not as powerhouse as the Motorola Droid, but people seem to like it.

Spacemilk

I just got the Droid on Saturday and so far I love it! My boyfriend has the Eris and he likes it very much (though the little touch buttons on the bottom require multiple pressings sometimes, which drives both of us nuts). I know you mentioned you are on a family plan; maybe take advantage of the current BOGO offer where you get an Eris when you buy a Droid?

For more reasonably priced phones: One of my friends has the enV3 and likes it a lot. I had the enV2 for over a year before I got my Droid. That thing survived multiple drops and lots of general abuse; they are very hardy phones. The reason I got the Droid was because I dropped my enV2 in a puddle on NYE; even then the phone continued to work almost perfectly except both "End" keys refused to respond and the battery drained a little faster, which was inconvenient but that's all. (I just wanted an excuse to get the droid) Really pretty impressive for a phone that went through a LOT. Also the full keyboard is something you will come to love beyond belief.

All the LG phones I've had have been, in general, very durable and trustworthy little phones. The low-end Blackberries are utter trash, or at least that's what I've heard from friends with them - the Curve is on sale for so little because it sucks so hard. I've heard HTC tends to be a pretty good manufacturer in general, and with what I've seen from my boyfriend's Eris, this is true.

Good luck!

Vater5B

SmokeStacks wrote: »

The Curve is trash. They're super cheap for a reason. The Blackberry OS has a lot of memory issues, especially on low memory phones like the Curve, so after a while you're going to be soft-resetting pretty much once a day at the minimum. The trackball is a cool idea, but they're prone to sticking or just breaking outright.

This. My BlackBerry Curve is awesome when it works, unfortunately, it crashes at least once almost every day and the only solution is to rip out the battery to do a hard reset. I'd skip that model.

Improvolone

I'm going with the enV3 based on all of the positive stuff said. Might not be as full featured as the Ozone, but it doesn't sound like it will drive me insane.
Thanks a ton, lads and ladies.


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