Trashed T-Mobile and SK3, back to Cingular but I miss my features...

M

mizz_invincible

New member
After three happy years with Cingular, I felt the itch for a phone with web access, texting (for a decent price), a QWERTY keyboard, etc. The data plans at Cingular seemed pretty steep and the SK3 looked very attractive. So I bit; signed up for the 600 minute voice plan and SK3 data w/ T-Mobile.

A month later, I've canceled.

The SK3 was super-lovely-wonderful for texting, but that was basically it. I also liked being able to browse the web and check my e-mail (and it was a lifesaver when traveling as I could, with some difficulty, check Google Maps). However, I DO use my phone to talk! The echo on my SK3 was unbearable for the people on the other end, it was over-heavy and bulky, and talking on it was generally annoying. I liked the hidden QWERTY keyboard a lot, but it's really problematic calling places w/ automated menus with that kind of key layout. Also, the battery life was abysmal.

Also, T-Mobile generally didn't impress me. I never ran out of minutes on Cingular, but with T-Mobile, I was cut to the quick.

So I went back to Cingular and... my 18 month old RAZR. I can't stand it. Texting on this thing is impossible. No web access. No QWERTY keyboard.

I need a smartphone. I'm considering the Blackjack, one of the Palms, or a Blackberry. The 8525 is really attractive as well, but it's back to that slider layout that I really like but isn't as practical.

This is growing long, but here's the long and short of what's important:
- Texting
- E-mail
- Web access (Java apps like gmail and google maps are super important)
- Voice quality/talk time
- Battery life (I don't mind charging every night, but I'd like to be able to get through one full day without losing charge)

And, as an aside, I just purchased a Cingular Media Max package to (w/ 1000 txt messages) to use in conjunction with any phone I purchase.

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
Battery life on the Blackjack has been an issue. If you turn off 3G entirely, it gets better, or get the extended battery. The QWERTY keyboard is probably more efficient and easier to use than a SureType style device. Windows Mobile is Windows Mobile. Not as stable as the BB O/S but newer than the Palm O/S. It is a Smartphone however and lacks cut and paste and the ability to edit Word and Excel files. Not as many 3rd party programs since it is a smartphone, but the numbers are increasing.

I cannot recommend a Treo because of past experience. I had three Treo 600s and a 650. All were terrible. Others here have had better luck than I however. The O/S is old and dated. From what I hear, the devices are prone to reboot themselves every so often as well. Lots of 3rd party apps.

The BB is a solid business users device. Great for email, adequate for phone, calendar, contacts and surfing. The O/S is bullet proof. Not so many 3rd party apps, but I have found that I don't need them. Must have a BB dataplan for email and Internet.

Talk time depends on how you use the phone. My BB goes for a couple days between charges.
 
I've been trawling the net all day looking for more info on the type of phones I'm interested in purchasing. It seems that the Blackjack is what I want-- it's a good price, has 3G, has the nice QWERTY keyboard... I'm a little worried about some functionality issues. Like the BJ apparently drops characters while texting and e-mailing? Is this true?

A BB wouldn't be terrible, but the slimmer ones are all SureType, and I don't know if I want to go in that direction.
 
yea. When people say it drops characters, they arent lying. But its not that bad. Yea, me also being a sidekick 1/2/3 EX user, i understand your pain. I was on cingular, and i needed a device that would type quick, so i signed up on prepaid with the sk3. But the internet speed was to slow and the resolution on the phone was just garbage. The BJ typing speed is fast but not as fast as the sidekick 3. But if your like me youll get used it to. The 3g speed is AMAZING. 3G + Media Max= Heaven. If not the blackjack get the 8525, if the size doesnt bother you.
 
oh yea. The blackjacks voice quality is unbelievable. Once i tried it out, i dropped to the ground. It sounds CRYSTAL CLEAR. Its one of the best. And also, the new BJ's come with an extended battery, so the battery time isnt that bad. Your best bet is the blackjack.
 
I'm thisclose to pulling the trigger on the BJ. (And I'm getting that UNHEALTHY giddiness that always accompanies a new tech purchase.)

Speak now or forever hold your peace?
 
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