Cell phone shopping

[Cami]

We are going out Friday to get new cell phones.
We have always had flip phones. Me since I never needed anything fancy and DH because that was the only thing he could get that was rugged (he is tough on phones).
I want something that has a LARGE screen. I spend a good portion of my day outside and I am forever trying to see what time it is and it is just hard in the light with a smaller screen. I swear I probably spend upwards of an hour a day in total moving my phone around in an attempt to see what time it is! I am not going blind....my screen is small and the font can't be made bigger!

I do not text. I have all data capabilities blocked on my phone. I use my cell for business and grew tired of getting so many telemarketing texts and it was costing me a fortune. I also don't like relying on texts from clients. Too many horror stories of someone not getting the info they need or getting it too late. I prefer to actually talk to people!
This may or may not change so having a phone capable of this feat is needed but I know even the basic phones are capable.
Since I don't do the data thing I also don't have apps however....might be interesting but I am not technology inclined but could learn.

I don't need an actual keyboard but one on screen would be fine.
A camera is ok but since I don't utilize the data option I don't send pictures to anyone! I would like to be able to transfer them to my computer though which is something I have never done (don't know if my phone now even can).

I like the look of an Iphone (larger screen). I have never bought a phone before as all of my previous phones have been on the "New every Two years" plan. I just upgrade for free but will be buying now since that program no longer exists!

Any suggestions??

[LILYLARUE]

Ive had the iPhone ever since they first came out. I absolutely love it! I was like you, never needed any of the fancy fangled new technology, BUT actually, didn't know I did need it until I got it! LOL

My iPhone has replaced my laptop. I download everything onto my pc (through itunes but access to pic files through windows). I have a 32 gig so I have over 25 books, both kindle and audiobooks, about 4 movies and several tv series. I listen to the books while at work. PLUS over 900 pics and videos. Still have 1/2 of the memory left to fill!

I LOVE the camera! The best in the smartphones and actually competes with my digital camera, if not better. Trust me on this. Plus, I like the videocam feature, pretty decent, but could be better. The new iPhone 4S may have a better cam, as well as some other new features.

The apps rock!!! I have kindle, icloud to my Quickbooks, take credit cards through intuit and links to my accounting in QB, can Skype, can invoice and receive payments through Paypal, can work on my excel and word docs, have all those keycards in my phone and read with most retail readers, Xfinity app to work my DVR from anywhere (love this when i forget to program at home) TomTom GPS, all my banks have apps now for account access, tons of free music channels, on-phone coupon apps, even Domino's ordering online app! My iphone is now my world in the palm of my hand. Can't live without it!

3 of my friends recently decided to upgrade to a smartphone. Of course they didn't listen to me, and choose other ones. within the first month, they were regretting not getting the iPhone. I just laugh......I told them! Apple has been perfecting the iPhone for 5 yrs now....other manufacuturers can't possibly make the best product the first time around, so I'd trust the performance and functionality of the iPhone for a few more years until the other companies catch up in R & D.

Now, I will say the monthly cost can be a killer and the decision maker. My unlimited plan through AT&T is $200/month. But with all the bells and whistles that I DO utilize, it is definitely worth it to me. You can lower the cost a little by losing some features, but not enough to make it of value to lose them.

So.......If you want a smartphone, do yourself the favor of future dissappointment and choose the iPhone. Hope I helped some.

[RockyCody]

I am not an iphone person, but at my house both DH and I have Android operating systems......we use them for email, facebook, pictures, and have unlimited data plans. I think you could STILL get this type of phoen without activating the data, but I"m not sure.

My brother works for best buy mobile - corporate and I am due for a phone upgrade at the end of next month - here are the newest/best phones on the market as far as smart phones - not sure if you want to go this route -but androids are easy to use/understand AND have nice, big screens. He told me this:

"You want 1 of these 3.
- HTC Rezound – really cool phone, just came out, has Beats audio in it. You won’t want or need an iPod if you get this phone.
- Droid RAZR – this one has awesome specs like a 1.5ghz processor and is crazy fast and also is the thinnest phone on the market.
- Samsung Nexus Prime – this is the cream of the crop but hasn’t come out yet (I’m getting this one when it does). It is the Google flagship phone and has their new operating system on it (Android 4.0 or ice cream sandwich). It has a 4.65” screen as well so it is a bigger phone but also very thin. The operating system is why you would get this one. One really cool feature is you can unlock your screen through facial recognition – how cool it that?"

If you want something more basic then this, I do recommend HTC android phones or samsung - we have had these and done well. I have hte HTC incredible and hubby has the samsung fascinate. It would all depend on if you can get these smart phones without activating the data package or not. Something to check into

[Gatorblu]

My husband is so not a techie! We have Verizon and last month he got a new flip phone, the LG Revere. He didn't want to upgrade, but we needed to give his dad a phone. His dad is suffering from dementia and I really didn't want to pay full price for a phone he would lose. We upgraded my DH and got the reduced price and then gave his old phone to my FIL. DH's screen is a tiny bit bigger than it was before, other than that I really don't know if there is a difference, but he LOVES it!

I just upgraded last week to a smart phone. First off nothing can make you feel dumber than the first few days of owning a smart phone! I swear it took me 3 incoming calls to figure out just how to answer it! (Personally I think the guy who sold it to me should have told me how.) Once I figured it out, I thought how easy! I did not opt for an iPhone tho' because it is not a 4G. I figured if I am goimg to take the plunge I might as well go all the way. I got a Samsung Stratosphere. It does have an actual key board that slides out and I find it much easier to use than the one on the screen (which it has as well). It has a tutorials app to help you learn how to use it, plus verizon does hold classes to teach you. I have figured out most of what I need so far. For me a bonus was google books. I was stuck waiting somewhere and was exploing the phone. When I hit the books app, three classic books came on the phone. I started to read one. Found out later that I can "pick the book back up" on my computer at home and not use all my battery life. I enjoy reading so this is definitely a bonus for me.

I have had to make some unexpected trips this year and a smart phone would have made things much easier. Now I don't need to find a wifi hot spot to get weather info (Drove past a tornado in the dark a few months ago) or to try to book a hotel when I had to make a emergency trip. So far the only draw back is it sounds off when I get a new email. It took me a week to figure out what that was. I even went back to the dealer to figure it out! I can't figure out how to shut that off. (I'm guessing another trip back to the store.)

I did some research online, but I am a touchy/feely shopper. I like to actually see and hold things. So going to the store and talking to a sales rep gave me a better idea of what would suit me. He gave answers to questions I hadn't even thought of. Good luck!

[elgerdes]

Personally, I am an iPhone user. I also have a MacBook Pro so they go together like bread and butter. Syncing my music, photos and other stuff is seamless. But, I really do understand that Apple products are not for everybody. Coming from a PC 5 years ago, I struggled. But now it would take me forever to navigate on a PC. (Also, everything LILYLARUE said is so true! It is the world at your fingertips...plus more!)

Now, my fiancé has a Droid. He had the first generation (with the slide out keyboard) and now has the X2 (I think). He hates it. I hate it. I loathe it actually. We both operate on Verizon Network, but I don't think the problems he has are related to Verizon. I never have the issues he does. He won't receive calls, or texts or voicemails. One night, I called him over 5 times and he didn't get ANY of them. It was an emergency and I needed him NOW! I have heard from several other friends and associates who hate their Droid. Many are waiting for their upgrade to come through to buy an iPhone.

If I did not have an iPhone, I would consider the HTC Evo, or a Samsung smartphone. While Blackberrys are nice, they are truly falling behind in the R&D. They aren't keeping up with new technology, and if you don't get the touchscreen, the buttons are quite small lol.

I wish you good luck, there are SOO many options out there!

[joeys mom]

Originally Posted by elgerdes

Personally,
Now, my fiancé has a Droid. He had the first generation (with the slide out keyboard) and now has the X2 (I think). He hates it. I hate it. I loathe it actually. We both operate on Verizon Network, but I don't think the problems he has are related to Verizon. I never have the issues he does. He won't receive calls, or texts or voicemails. One night, I called him over 5 times and he didn't get ANY of them. It was an emergency and I needed him NOW! I have heard from several other friends and associates who hate their Droid. Many are waiting for their upgrade to come through to buy an iPhone.

I have a driod and HATE IT, used to love it but something has definitly changed within the andriod system cause most people I know that has one is having the same issues...phone freezing, missed calls, text freezing the problems are neverending now. I am also in search of the right smart phone and keep leaning toward the iphone 4s. My only concern is that it doesnt have an external battery, what if the phone freezes...how do I get it "unfrozen", if I understand right I would have to go to the nearest apple store and for me that would be 2 hrs away...not convienent

Having said that I will definitly say get a smart phone of some type... you will eventually use the apps. I love them. I use Kindle, facebook, music downloads, gps.. and many more. LOL I can even get on BW on my phone. I love having the endless amount of info at my finger tips.

[chrystel]

I love my phone!
I have the HTC EVO 4G

It's soooooo great and I got it for free at radioshack!

We use Sprint.

The camera is awesome.

DH needs a phone than can ... resist a lot (he works on cars and the phone "flies" a lot)... so he put a rubber case aorund the phone.

We both really like our HTC

[Cami]

DH needs a phone than can ... resist a lot (he works on cars and the phone "flies" a lot)... so he put a rubber case aorund the phone.

My DH too. He has gotten a phone call while working on an engine and laid it down in the engine bay and then drove the car......oops!

We have Verizon and as far as I understand they have stopped offering unlimited data plans. That being said a friend was grandfathered in somehow. They said I might be able to as well since technically I have unlimited date but don't use it. That is the only way I will start the data thing again. We pay for 4 phones, (ours, my dad and his mom's). Don't need more expense in the phone department!
I like my friends Iphone-3g and he is on Verizon. He said his only complaint was the battery life was too short and he had to travel with a car charger. He uses so many of the bells and whistles though that it might not be something I have to worry about. He also said that now I would be using a 4g network.

To be honest 75% of the stuff you guys have mentioned sounds Greek to me. Forgive my ignorance with my next questions.....

Regarding apps.
I won't be reading books or downloading music for my phone. I am in my car TOO MUCH (radio) and when I have time to read it is in a quiet spot with a real live hardback!

I know a lot of apps are free BUT to download one don't I have to have a data plan and then pay for the time for the data to be downloaded to my phone (or included within the allowed minutes)?

I don't want to sync anything to my home computer minus pictures/videos if I felt the need. I don't want to check e-mail or post to FB from my phone. I am home and near my computer more often than I need now. When I am not working away from home I am working at the computer for work. I don't want my phone to become an extension to WORK more! Answering phone calls related to work are more than enough "phone time".

I guess I am going to just see what the phones look like and then make a decision from there and then of course I will have a thousand questions!

Technology is great *sometimes* but when it just confuses me more than helps then I would rather just crawl off to yesterday.

[CrazyCharlie]

So I am not an iPhone person either, I am an Android person. I have had them since HTC came out with the Eris. I now have the Motorola Bionic. FANTASTIC phone! I went from the Eris to the Incredible (still love the incredible) to the Droid X2 to the Bionic. They do everything and have a good sized screen and you can video chat.

As for your DH. Casio makes a touch screen rugged phone also. Although the Droid X and X2 are very durable. I work for an electrical contractor and my DH is a mechanic. I have gotten all of them the Droid X or X2 and they have done great with them. I have yet to have a broken phone. With the flip phones I had for them before they came back broken all the time.

Now I may work with a bunch of electricians, but NONE of them are Techie AT ALL. I mean I am a huge geek (compared) so they don't use these phone to their full abilty, which drives me crazy, but they do pretty well with them after they figured out how to turn it on.

As for reading, my DH actually did this before me (shocker because he is not techie at all) the droids come with an Amazon Kindle App (free) and he reads CONSTANTLY and he started using this. The books are actually cheaper this way too. the screen is big enough to read off of and you can also change the font size as well. I have to be careful with this because once I start its hard to stop reading for me and having it on my phone makes it hard to resist

But remember, not everyone likes "smartphones" but I will say they are freaking great especially if you need info fast and aren't near a computer

[Gatorblu]

Originally Posted by Cami

We have Verizon and as far as I understand they have stopped offering unlimited data plans.

They did stop the unlimited data. As a returning customer (who never used any data plan before) I was given 4GB per month where a new customer only gets 2GB. I was told 95% of people will use less than 2GB per month.

[Cami]

As a returning customer (who never used any data plan before) I was given 4GB per month where a new customer only gets 2GB.

Good to know! I'll have to ask about that.

[Cami]

Well it's official....I have a smart phone. DH does as well and in fact has the same phone as me. This might be a challenge to figure out which is which until I change a few display settings!

I am not a highly educated person....didn't go to college however I do (OR DID) consider myself to have some intelligence.....now not so much.
This phone has made me feel more than dumb!

We ended up with Droid Charge phones. It was a buy 1 get one free day!
We also got the 4gb data plan and a free car charger. Toss in the 25% discount DH gets with work and we were out the door for $200. Seeing how we have never bought a phone before (all free with 2 year upgrades), I don't feel we did bad getting two new phones for that price. I know some people who have spent $500-600 on phones! CRAZY!! And they seem to do it anytime something new comes out.
Oh yeah and we got two additional new phones also for my dad and his mom (they are on on plan) for free. Why we got a new phone for his mom is beyond me. She has had it for a couple of years now and still doesn't know how to turn it on! I think she has used a total of 5 minutes since we got it for her and that was us calling her while trying to teach her how to use it.

We were told we needed a g-mail account. I had one (or thought I did) but then just went ahead and created a new one but the phone won't let me use the password (seems to be a common problem so I have been reading). I am going to try it with DH's phone tonight and see if it works otherwise we are headed back to the store tomorrow for some HELP!