Starting from scratch

D

donkeyzoom

New member
Hey, all. Long time reader, first time posting. XD

So I have a Dare on VZW and it's cool, but I want something that's custom tailored to me. Thusly, picking from any national carrier and any available or soon-to-be-released device, please share your suggestions. I'm seeking...

Easy to use for all types of messaging
A snappy interface (the Dare gets frustratingly slow sometimes)
Web browsing (full browser)
A quick camera (fast load, fast shutter) that's at least 2 megapixels.

Obviously I'd rather not be dropping a Benjamin a month on the plan and features, so unlimited things are nice and combo deals are best. Additionally, I'd love a standard headphone jack and ability to read at least a 4GB memory card.

Is this phone and plan out there? I am at your mercy, HoFo!

- Theo
 
I would strongly suggest that you find a carrier that works for you and your needs, and then go from there with a plan, and then a device. Doesn't make much sense to pay for service that may not work all the time in your area with spotty coverage.
 
If AT&T's got good coverage in your area, you can go with the Nation 450 and the Messaging and Data Unlimited Plan. It'll come out to $70, up your minutes if you use more than 450 minutes in a month. The phone you should use is the Nokia E75. It'll meet all your features but you may want to add Opera Mini to make life easier for browsing. The E75 goes for $315 after a $50 MIR and a 15% off coupon (65G7RQ11J?M2LH) before S&H.
 
Good stuff, guys, thanks.

The unlimited data usage is really key here, so any of you who know about specific deals are welcome to chime in. :D Keep the answers coming, please and thank you.

- Theo
 
If you want to stay on Verizon, you could always opt for the BB Curve, or wait it out for the BB Tour. Verizon does require a mandatory BB data plan on BB devices, so be forewarned.
 
Well, since I'm the op I hope a necro bump is okay. Unsurprisingly, I'll be moving to the HTC Evo 4G (yes, it took that long for a phone to really sell me). It's my first time buying a real smartphone and my first experience with Android. Further input from the helpful people at this forum is quite welcome.

Yes, I know about the $10 addon. I'm a Sprint indirect employee, so I'll get a good discount on service. I also have the luxury of living in a 4G city.

Thoughts, team?

- Theo
 
Android isn't for everyone. I have tried it out, and ended up not staying with it. I would seriously try to use an Android phone at a store as much as possible before making the switch if you haven't already. Your experience might differ, so don't always listen to what people on a forum tell you to do. ;)
 
Appreciate it, mate. I've taken a lot of courses for training customers on how to use Android, so I don't think it'll be a problem to get used to. I'll probably have shiny phone syndrome for the first 2 months, since I've never bought a real-deal smartphone before.

I'll keep you guys posted, and am ready for any other input!

- Theo
 
Well going from Verizon to Sprint, phone selection aside, is a big jump. I looked at the EVO and played around with a droid at the local BB. I don't think getting use to the UI on a phone is a huge issue, even if some phone feel better in your hand than others.

For me the biggest issue is the carrier, not the phone. I am a wildlife photograpner and astronomy is my hobby. Many of the places I take pictures are out of Sprint coverage in my area, while they are in Version coverage. The dark site where I observe in a shuttered dome is also out Sprint's coverate. Sprint does have great coverage at my condo in town. I have talked to park rangers at a couple of wildlife parks where I shoot and both ATT and Verizon have coverage there; but Sprint does not.

It really does not matter how kool your cell phone is if you do not have service. One of my buds suggested me to take advantage of the EVO 30 trial period and see how the Sprint coverage matches my needs, not just at home but also at places I want to use the phone.

You are the best judge of how well your current carrier matches your needs, and to some extent how changing carriers might increase or reduce the coverage you need.

I will test out the EVO and Sprint; but it is looking more and more like Verizon is a much better match for my needs.

YMMV
 
Fair enough. I think that since 99% of my time is spent in the city limits of the large metropolitan town I'm from, it shouldn't be an issue, but you're totally right about testing. That 30 day risk free trial /is/ pretty nice.

- Theo
 
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