Please help me pick a new (smart)phone :(

K

killer .

New member
OK, here's my short story. I've been using a Motorola Slvr L7 for the past year, maybe more. I got this phone after My trusty motorola Mpx220's bottom port stopped working (no charging, no syncing to the pc).

This phone has served its purpose... but Now I want something newer, better. I played with a buddy's T-mo Dash for a few minutes, and It really impressed me that it had Wifi (yes, i've been out of the phone arena for a while). So what it comes down to is: I want a new phone, preferably a smartphone that I can use to connect to my home 802.11g wpa secured network and surf the web/ instant message through msn messanger (so I don't have to turn on my dual processor room heater of a pc just to chat online). Because of this, I figure a keyboard is somewhat necessary. I've seen some that look appealing, like the htc s620/Dash (would have to be unlocked of course), MDA, Nokia e61, and so on...

Here's the catch: I don't mind one used, and I don't mind one that's not the newest thing out there, but I would like something that doesn't run slow as molasses (read that somewhere about the mda) at instant messaging and web surfing. The other thing, is that I need it to be sub $200 (preferably in the $150 range). Am I searching for the holy grail? :/

(I'm reposting this here since I didn't know this forum existed. I originally posted this in the smartphone forum)
 
Yeah, holy grail sounds about right. The thing is, T-Mobile's phones are basically the only ones with WiFi commonly available on their Smartphones. So you'd need an unlocked Dash, or possibly an HTC S710, or a Nokia E61i. None will be in your price range unlocked. How's T-Mobile's coverage in your area? How much time is left on your AT&T contract? If you're up for renewal, you could get a refurb (and again, locked) 8125 for cheap enough (WiFi and slide-out QWERTY keyboard). If you're wiling to switch to T-Mobile you could get a Dash or Wing for pretty cheap (and again, these would be locked).

Keep in mind that locked phones can always be unlocked later. I don't like them either, but it's usually cheaper to buy a locked phone and unlock it yourself than to buy an unlocked phone.


Of course, you could ALWAYS go to Verizon and buy the LG enV. Boo boo, hiss hiss.
 
I've been out of contract on cingular for so long, my phone still says cingular even though it should say ATT :P

Although through out the years, cingular hasn't changed for the better (Customer service isn't as helpful anymore, service plans are getting fewer and fewer minutes for the same price level, and so on...), I love the fact that I'm the only one in my home with cingular/att, and I'm the only one that ALWAYS has service. During hurricane wilma down here in south florida, my phone was the only one that got a signal and was able to make/receive calls. I'd hate to lose that by going to a different carrier.

Is the 8125 worth it, with all the other newer stuff out there? I'd rather spend 250 on something, rather than spend 200 on the old verson of that something...
 
If you're willing to sign a contract and go through ebay you can get what you're looking for and make $50 in the process (with the dash). This seller has a couple phones that might work for you that will cost you nothing. However, you may need to switch to tmobile.

http://myworld.ebay.com/mycellularchoice/
 
It's alright guys, thanks for the advice. I found an MDA on ebay for a decent price and I'll see how that works out. If it doesn't I can always get something better if it's not enough, but for my first adventure into slider wifi smartphone territory, hopefully it'll work. I'll keep in mind that link for ebay, but I'd like to stay with cingular/att for now.
 
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