Cell Phone input needed

[DavidHead]

I currently have T-Mobile and am generally happy with their service. I want a new color flip-style phone that does NOT have a camera (not allowed at work). My choices are a Motorola V66 (no external caller ID) or a Samsung E105 (with the external caller ID window). I would also considering switching to Verizon and getting an LG phone (either the VX4400 or VX4500). I'm not interested in any other services based on my research and past experience. I'd appreciate input from anyone that has one of these phones. Let me know how you like it, what you don't like, the "real-world" talk time and standby time, etc. Thanks.

[jaymer]

hi david,
maxgator told me about www.howardforums.com
i think i'd go there.
they have dedicated forums for each manufacturer.

the only problem i had with them was there are a lot of best buy sales reps online, and they think BB is the best thing in the world... and whatever phones they have are the greatest. so once you get through all that drivel, you may find some real info.

i have no doubt you could type in those model #s and see multiple threads... and fortunately, you'll find out what many other people find lacking about them (subjective stuff like ear volume, touch of keys, "plastic"ness of the unit, etc). I researched my new phones pretty heavily before getting them, but the final factor was going to the sprint store and making calls on it and using/seeing the display and UI. In the end, what others said about it made no difference at that point, but it was great to know the non-subjective limitations that were not so obvious from the sales literature.

[DavidHead]

Thanks Jaymer. I'll check that site out. I've already got information from Consumer Reports and JD Powers, along with asking a bunch of people at work. My last step will be to do exactly as you did and test the phones out at the store.

[StevenA]

I have an LG 4400B with Verizon, which I've had since February. I don't really have anything to compare it to since this is my first cell phone. It's not the smallest phone on the market, but it's small enough that I can carry it in my pocket rather than clipped to my belt. The external LCD display is more readable than some of the other phones I've looked at. The internal color display is very readable when it's lit, but impossible to read when it's not lit. I've got the backlight set to turn off after 30 seconds, and pressing any key will then bring the light back on. The standard battery (you can also buy a larger longer-lasting one) usually lasts about 3 days (from fully charged to 25%) if no calls are made. However, if you travel and the phone has to be frequently scanning for a new signal, that seems to use a lot of battery power. I recently took an Amtrak ride from Orlando to New Orleans, and after 24 hours the battery was down to 25% charged even though I hadn't used the phone. A 1 hour call will use about 50% of a fully charged battery.

One of the reasons I went with the LG 4400B is because it's a tri-mode phone. Since I travel a lot, I wanted tri-mode because I wanted a phone that I can use in as many places as possible.

[pilotbob]

T-Mobil offers this new Seimens:

http://www.letstalk.com/product/product.htm/depId_1/pgId_100/prId_26347&zip=33624

I haven't tried it. It doesn't seem to say it is a camera phone.

What I like about it is the loop antenna. I keep my V60i in my pocket and that really messes up the antenna. I am on my second one after 1.5 years. (Not too bad I guess.)

How do you like to T-Mobile service in the Tampa area?

PilotBob

[pilotbob]

Oppsss. It does say picture messaging... so I guess that means it has a camera?

Wait, in the specs... It says digital camera, NO.

So, I'm really confused.

PilotBob

[DavidHead]

I ended up getting the Samsung E105 a couple of months ago and LOVE IT! I have been VERY happy with the phone. I've always been happy with T-Mobile, although there are a few places I have trouble with reception (one example is most new Publix stores for some reason). T-Mobile has been adding quite a few new cell towers in the Tampa Bay area recently and has plans to add a lot more over the next few months according to a letter I just received.

I also subscribed to 3GUpload (http://www.3gupload.com), which is about $7 for 6 months of unlimited downloads. I have free nights and weekends, so I download everything then (T-Mobile offers internet access to WAP sites for no extra charge). I've downloaded a bunch of different graphics and MIDI ringtones. 3GUpload is also available for AT&T, Cingular and Sprint networks.

David