Use ATT. Under $150 if possible.

Needs 3G, Wi-fi, ability to play media files (videos, mp3's) somewhat well, threaded text messaging would be a plus. A 3.5mm headphone jack would be AWESOME.

Samsung Jack
Nokia E71x

Any other suggestions? Am I SOL here?

6/3/2009 11:42:31 AM

you're gonna have to sign a loooong contract for that

6/3/2009 11:44:51 AM

throw in another $50 and get an iPhone?

6/3/2009 11:45:09 AM

yeah just get an iphone. if you wait till the next one comes out, there's rumors that there will be more tiers of iphone, for example maybe an iphone nano with 4GB that would certainly be cheaper, likely within the $150 range you're talking about, if not less

6/3/2009 11:47:30 AM

yeah i realized that i only wanted it for internet and text messaging. i don't really need videos and all that. a auto focus camera with flash would be nice, but not necessary.

i don't want an iphone, b/c of itunes, non replaceable batteries, and not having a physical keyboard. i hate itunes with a passion.

if it were free, well that would be a different story, but it's not, so other phone it is.

6/3/2009 12:12:56 PM

I was looking at the E71x but for whatever reason ATT considers it a PDA so the data plan is $30 a month, same as the iPhone. My wife and I both ended up getting free LG Vu's (refurbs, and no wi-fi or physical keyboard though) that should be here tomorrow. The data plan is the same as it was on our old phones $15/mo (N75 and A707) so that was a big factor. $30/mo for 24 months = $720 more dolla bucks

[Edited on June 3, 2009 at 12:29 PM. Reason : ]

6/3/2009 12:25:44 PM

Ok so the list longer.

Pantech Duo
Blackjack II
Samsung Epix
Nokia E71x
LG Incite
Blackberry Bold
Pantech Matrix Pro
HTC Fuze

All of these phones are free to me. Which one is the best for 3G speed, text messaging, some media, compatibility with Office?

6/3/2009 1:58:22 PM

Avoid the blackjack. I don't know much about the others.

Although avoiding the iphone for the reasons youve stated is pretty idiotic. you use itunes once in a blue moon to sync some music, whooptie shit. the battery lasts a lot longer than you'll be keeping the phone and you can get them to replace it for you and nobody gives a shit about the keyboard after they actually use one for a while. the spell check works too well for it to matter.

but go ahead and get a shittier phone for more money

6/3/2009 2:43:54 PM

you can get a refurbished iphone at best buy mobile for $150

comes with one year warranty

6/3/2009 3:32:13 PM

what are the current contract prices and durations for the iphone these days?

6/3/2009 4:37:36 PM

2 year contract

6/3/2009 5:20:22 PM

I'd wait on the new one personally.

6/3/2009 5:43:59 PM

I prefer to buy a phone outright and not be restricted to a contract.

I would try the Iphone except for that pesky 2 yr / million dollar contract.

I wonder if pandora works with the nokia.

----------------

Yeah avoiding itunes might be idiotic, but hey, I just live.

On the keyboard, I've used an 2nd get Ipod touch for quite a while and the typing sucks in my opinion, but that's just one man out of millions. I can't type for shit on it. I'd rather type it correctly the first time using a physical keyboard. Personal preference.

Quote :

"but go ahead and get a shittier phone for more money"

I believe you forgot the part where I said the phones i listed were free.

I read quite a few reviews on the Fuze and I think that's out.

Looks like it's really down to Samsung Jack (3rd edition of the Blackjack series) and the Nokia E71x.

The blackberry bold is too freakin heavy.

Does anyone know if there is an easy way to reflash the E71x with E71 firmware or at least the non branded kind (even though I know that model was made for ATT)?

[Edited on June 4, 2009 at 1:12 AM. Reason : eh]

6/4/2009 1:05:05 AM

Quote :

"Samsung Jack (3rd edition of the Blackjack series) "

this phone is a complete POS, you would be better off with a cup and strings

6/4/2009 7:46:16 AM

haahahhaha so noted.

6/4/2009 8:57:46 AM

pantech duo, multitude of htc offerings (touch pro aka fuze being the best), iphone, and several blackberries to choose from

6/4/2009 9:00:58 AM

So is a sorta-smart phone like an average phone? Are we talking a C student?

6/4/2009 9:18:08 AM

sorta yes, think of it as a b/c student.

doesn't have to do everything well, but some things decently.

phone, wi-fi, 3G internet, text messaging.

the slowness the fuze annoys me.

someone here mentioned that they couldn't get the alarm to shut off. that's not good.

6/4/2009 10:16:17 AM

Is there a good free app out there for Windows Mobile 6 that will enables threaded text messaging?

6/4/2009 6:56:23 PM

the "slowness" of the touch pro can be combated by the custom roms you're already diving in to.

6/4/2009 7:08:20 PM

yeah with just a reg edit my touch pro is significantly faster

6/4/2009 7:51:16 PM

like how much faster? the one in the store was slow but it varied.

hmm now you got me all interested in custom roms and a fuze. dang it.

6/4/2009 8:58:54 PM

http://www.ppcgeeks.com
http://www.nuerom.com
http://www.xda-developers.com

6/5/2009 1:00:11 AM

i might just get both phones, the fuze and the nokia and return the one i don't like.

[Edited on June 7, 2009 at 2:32 PM. Reason : thanks grandmaster for the links, i'll be using them.]

6/7/2009 2:31:51 PM