Help me pick a Cell Phone

deadman jolt

Looking to move to Verizon Wireless, although Cingular options are welcome.

Phones I'm debating

LG VX8600 - small, multimedia phone, better reviews than
Motorola KRZR - really small, seems to get poor reviews
Motorola RAZR V3m
LG VX8500 Chocolate - not too sure on the buttons here

Thanks

Edit: Currently with Sprint

embrik

My recommendation is to stick with Cingular and pick a kick-ass GSM Nokia phone.

gundam470

I really, really, really hate motorola's interface so I would personally go with one of the LGs.

The CNET review of the first says:

The LG VX8600 is a stylish successor to the LG VX8500 Chocolate, and, dare we say, a lot nicer in terms of navigation and feel. If you're wary of the Chocolate's quirky touchpad but still want a Chocolate-like phone in a clamshell design, you could do well to give the VX8600 a try

Doc

Stay away from the RAZR, the KRZR, and the Chocolate. In fact, stay away from most phones that they advertise. They usually suck.

Jimmy King

If you go with Cingular, my recommendation is the Samsung Blackjack. A guy here at work has one, seems to be a pretty nice phone, and I know we've dealt with a few big shot execs who carry them (of course that doesn't guarantee a quality phone, but these guys have the money to buy whatever the fuck they want, and they went with the Blackjack).

Six

I had a RAZR for years and loved it.

Just got a blackjack recently and I'm loving it, too.

Jimmy King

Ah, yeah, the RAZR. My opinion is that as far as cheap phones that the carriers pretty much give away go, it's a nice phone. It's still cheaply made (my understanding is that they used to be built much higher quality), though, and if you're willing to spend a bit you can get a much better phone.

an_alt

Put me in the RAZR camp. I know it's a little outdated now, but I don't have a land line, I've already reduced one battery to a 10 minute talk time and I'm working on a second, and it still works flawlessly. The signal is better that other phones that friends have and dammit, it just works.

As for the interface, I know every cell company in Canada who has a RAZR uses a different interface so I have no idea what Motorola ships from the factory.

Six

I actually still use my RAZR for when I go out and I don't have a need to carry around the Blackjack. I just swap the SIM and go.

geckahn

Fuck Verizon.

It's hard to express the anger that CDMA causes me to have. No SIM cards. Crippled fucking phones. And forced to use verizon software. FUCK YOU VERIZON.

That being said. Get Cingular or T-Mobile. Both are GSM, T-Mobile has better customer service but much shittier coverage. I'd get a quad-band phone, but if you're not planning on leaving north america anytime soon then it doesn't really matter. And make sure it has Java and not BREW.

Asuma

Doc wrote: »

Stay away from the RAZR, the KRZR, and the Chocolate. In fact, stay away from most phones that they advertise. They usually suck.

I test mobile games for a living. This man speaks the truth.

thecatchxxii

I've been in the cell phone industry a few years now. Definitely go with a GSM company/phone (T-Mobile, Cingular). The call quality is clearer, the dropped calls are less, and the technology is the latest in the States. Also, I'd recommend staying away from a RAZR. The amount of RAZR's with manufacturer defects is staggering. The V3t (better camera, music player) and KRZR are a little bit better, though. If you're going to get a phone with a 1.3 mega-pixel camera and a music player, don't settle for anything that doesn't include the data cable and a small memory card. The KRZR, RIZR, and V3t all include these, I think.

If you're considering Cingular, I'd suggest checking to see if T-Mobile is in your area. The customer service is much better and the plans are cheaper. If you go to all of the major carriers' websites, you can see the coverage on a street level. Also, the great thing about going with a GSM company is you can use most GSM phones with it (providing they're unlocked and have the right bands). Europe and Asia are so far ahead of the US regarding phones. You don't need to limit yourself to phones you find in a retail store. You can purchase an unlocked phone online and use it with either T-Mobile or Cingular. This will also eliminate the need for a 2 year contract with your carrier. You'd only need to do a 1 year contract, because you're providing the phone and don't need the discount.

witch_ie

I tried the Chocolate out...hated it after two days. It has a serious downside to having only one port for charging and talking on a headset - which of course isn't so much of a problem if you like/have Bluetooth. Also found the buttons very hard to use, the battery life incredibly short, and the sliding number pad annoying. I like having a phone that I only have to use one hand on and the Chocolate is not it.

LondonBridge

I own the 8600 and love it. Tried the Chocolate and it sucked. Have you checked out the new Samsung dual hinge phone yet? If you're into texting I suggest that.

Sentry

Gotta side with the anti-razr camp.

I've had it less then a year and then as of last week the display fails, then the other features failed... like making and reciving calls.

geckahn

thecatchxxii wrote: »

IEurope and Asia are so far ahead of the US regarding phones.

I lived in Sweden for a year a few years ago. This fact alone goes a long way in explaining my complete hatred for Verizon and Sprint.

It's just not even comparable. CDMA is an inherently monopolistic business model, They want to control everything you can do on your phone. And it's fucking horrible call wise to boot.

As for the actual phone, I'd recommend pretty much anything made by Nokia or Sony Ericsson.

TTODewback

I loved my Sony Ericsson ..until I accidentally put my kneecap through it while at work running data cables. Rest in peace, good buddy. Now I use a Samsung a870 which is alright, but it looks like it'll fall to pieces if half of what happened to my ericsson happens to it

Mai-Kero

I just got a VX8300 a few days ago, which is like the little brother of the 8600 I guess, and I'm very pleased. Looooong battery life, decent software, nice speed, huge number directory, great customer support, very nice keypad with large buttons, and a fairly sleek form factor. Add a 2 gig SD card and you've got a nice small-capacity MP3 player/camera. The front buttons when it's closed make a nice way to control music, too, and both displays are great.

The only thing I don't like is that I probably got fucked hard on my plan and it has a short little "V-CAST! YEAH!" video that plays when you power on the phone. Also v-cast is a fucking ripoff. I'm trying to get the WAP internet going, but the options are a bit weird.

SoonerMan

Anyone knew where I can get a cheap replacement phone? RAZR has died on me, second one to do so. Would like a fliptop, GSM, cingular phone.

Tucanwarrior13

For a music/camera/texting phone I would go with the Sync from Samsung. I believe it's carried by Cingular.

For something cheaper WITHOUT music I have the C417 and love it. I have an I-Pod for my music.

littwentythree

I just picked up the LG CU500 from Cingular, and I love it. I've got to run in just a minute, but run a search for it on google.

Bouncing_Soul

If you're bent on Verizon and a RAZR-like phone, a new model just came out:
http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=1024

I have to say it looks pretty nice. Maybe they got it right this time.

Xenocide Geek

I'm casting my vote in for 'stay away from RAZRs'.

Everybody I know who owns one has owned something like, three of them, due to how often they break.

blanknogo

witch_ie wrote: »

I tried the Chocolate out...hated it after two days. It has a serious downside to having only one port for charging and talking on a headset - which of course isn't so much of a problem if you like/have Bluetooth.

Just want to add in that this is also true for the RAZR. It's actually very annoying (Bluetooth is great, but I really prefer the way a wired headset feels for extended use).

I'm also going to say stay the hell away from the RAZR. I threw mine away and went with a cheap refurbished phone because I just couldn't stand it anymore. The build quality is terrible (my second Razr had a loose battery connector, amongst other physical flaws). I'm on my third one now but I refuse to activate it because of the pain and annoyance it has caused me so far.

Honestly don't go with CDMA (being able to change your phone and your connection by just swapping sim cards is so convenient). Go with a GSM provider and get a nice Nokia phone or Sony Ericcson (from my experience these are very nice phones). Stay away from "fashion" phones like the Chocolate, Razr, Krazr (basically stay away from most things Moto).

I can't stress this enough. Do not get the Razr. Not only is it not "cool" anymore, it also sucks as a phone.

redimpulse

In my Verizon experience, the best phones as far as features, capability and life are Samsungs followed by LG. I'm definitely in the no RAZR camp - I've watched friends go through unit after unit (some almost weekly) due to some stupid flaw in the phones. RAZRs and KRZRs both have acted this way.

The best phone Verizon has had in a long time is no longer offered - the Moto E-815. I had this phone for years, and if it wasn't for the fact that I gave it to my grandmother I'd still have it. Since then I've moved to the Samsung SCH-A930 and am quite pleased. Its performance and capability near matches the E-815 and it has all the features one could use - Bluetooth, an awesome 1.3 Mp camera (that shoots better than my Sony 4.1), music capabilities and GPS. Build quality is great - I've dropped it, it's skidded across the street, I've basically treated it like shit and it still looks good (sans a few scratches) and works perfect. The outer OLED display is pretty conservative, but if you can deal without having a 256 color TFT display on the outside of the phone it's a very nice touch. Only gives the information you need - time/date, incoming call, call time, signal, bluetooth, battery and song being played. No pictures or other clutter. It's not a flashy phone. It just does what it's supposed to, and does it well.

I have no experience to offer with Cingular, except I had AT&T for a while and I almost killed myself.

geckahn

redimpulse wrote: »

In my Verizon experience, the best phones as far as features, capability and life are Samsungs followed by LG. I'm definitely in the no RAZR camp - I've watched friends go through unit after unit (some almost weekly) due to some stupid flaw in the phones. RAZRs and KRZRs both have acted this way.

The best phone Verizon has had in a long time is no longer offered - the Moto E-815. I had this phone for years, and if it wasn't for the fact that I gave it to my grandmother I'd still have it. Since then I've moved to the Samsung SCH-A930 and am quite pleased. Its performance and capability near matches the E-815 and it has all the features one could use - Bluetooth, an awesome 1.3 Mp camera (that shoots better than my Sony 4.1), music capabilities and GPS. Build quality is great - I've dropped it, it's skidded across the street, I've basically treated it like shit and it still looks good (sans a few scratches) and works perfect. The outer OLED display is pretty conservative, but if you can deal without having a 256 color TFT display on the outside of the phone it's a very nice touch. Only gives the information you need - time/date, incoming call, call time, signal, bluetooth, battery and song being played. No pictures or other clutter. It's not a flashy phone. It just does what it's supposed to, and does it well.

I have no experience to offer with Cingular, except I had AT&T for a while and I almost killed myself.

Ive got the same phone. Its alright, as far as verizon goes its about as good as it gets. No MP3 though (forces you to use vcast - fuck that), bluetooth is gimped so the only thing you can use it for is handsfree basically, doesn't come with a data cable (and they dont sell it at verizon). Uses BREW, so you cant get gmail mobile.

Plus side: I hacked it so I get free google WAP.

Suck it Verizon.

Mai-Kero

geckahn wrote: »

redimpulse wrote: »

In my Verizon experience, the best phones as far as features, capability and life are Samsungs followed by LG. I'm definitely in the no RAZR camp - I've watched friends go through unit after unit (some almost weekly) due to some stupid flaw in the phones. RAZRs and KRZRs both have acted this way.

The best phone Verizon has had in a long time is no longer offered - the Moto E-815. I had this phone for years, and if it wasn't for the fact that I gave it to my grandmother I'd still have it. Since then I've moved to the Samsung SCH-A930 and am quite pleased. Its performance and capability near matches the E-815 and it has all the features one could use - Bluetooth, an awesome 1.3 Mp camera (that shoots better than my Sony 4.1), music capabilities and GPS. Build quality is great - I've dropped it, it's skidded across the street, I've basically treated it like shit and it still looks good (sans a few scratches) and works perfect. The outer OLED display is pretty conservative, but if you can deal without having a 256 color TFT display on the outside of the phone it's a very nice touch. Only gives the information you need - time/date, incoming call, call time, signal, bluetooth, battery and song being played. No pictures or other clutter. It's not a flashy phone. It just does what it's supposed to, and does it well.

I have no experience to offer with Cingular, except I had AT&T for a while and I almost killed myself.

Ive got the same phone. Its alright, as far as verizon goes its about as good as it gets. No MP3 though (forces you to use vcast - fuck that), bluetooth is gimped so the only thing you can use it for is handsfree basically, doesn't come with a data cable (and they dont sell it at verizon). Uses BREW, so you cant get gmail mobile.

Plus side: I hacked it so I get free google WAP.

Suck it Verizon.

If it has a micro SD card slot, just drop MP3s into the /music folder, and you should be set.

How do you do the google WAP thing?

Gigaton

I currently own a Fire K1-M (I refuse to call it the "KRZR") and I've never had any problems with it. Then again I don't require much out of my phones and I got it at a really good discount. Otherwise I might have gotten something else.