Cellphonee recommendation (cingular)

[danny_w]

My wife and I are about to change plans (she's on AT&T TDMA, I'm on Sprint, both w/o contracts) and I need some advice on what phone to choose. Cingular seems to be the only carrier that works well around here (I think I've tried most of them) so I am limited to phones that work with their network, and don't want to spend a fortune. both of us want flip phones.

She wants just a basic phone that is easy to use with a clear display, and that can be easily cradle on the shoulder. I am wanting bluetooth,but don't much care about other features.

We just went to BestBuy and looked at their poor assortment. She liked one of the Samsungs the best (the D357 maybe?) but nothing really interested me. I looked at the RAZRs but don't really care for the odd flat design and difficult to use keys, plus which the menu seemed slow. The local Cingular store was closed so we couldn't look there.

Does anybody have any favorite phones that would be good? I wanted to look at the SE and Nokia phones but haven't had a chance yet.

 

[janey]

i like the sony ericsson s710a's (i think thats the model) and phones similar to that. personally, i have a razr, i dont think it's horrible, but text messaging is a bitch on the keypad.

 

[Counterfit]

i like the sony ericsson s710a's (i think thats the model) and phones similar to that.

That is indeed the model, and it's great. I've had mine for almost a year now, and there have been zero problems (like my T68i, and very unlike my T610)

 

[danny_w]

i like the sony ericsson s710a's (i think thats the model) and phones similar to that. personally, i have a razr, i dont think it's horrible, but text messaging is a bitch on the keypad.

Thanks. I looked at the razr phones and they were certainly glitzy looking, and at a good price for a bt phone ($50). I don't text message, so that is not an issue. Can they be opened easily with one hand? And can you dial without looking at the keypad (it seemed very flat to me)? I have never owned an se phone, but may take a look at one. a lot of people seem to like the z520a a lot.

 

[Whigga Spitta]

i have an SE z520a which, for the price, has worked out real well for me. i personally like it better than the RAZR, both because of it's ergonomics and menu interfaces. i have had no problems syncing with bluetooth and other than the cheap-ness feeling of the plastic (and the silly antenna), it's a great phone.

 

[3rdpath]

i say stay away from cingular.

verizon performs consistently better.

 

[Koodauw]

i say stay away from cingular.

verizon performs consistently better.

Not true, Depends on the area.

Right now the selection form cingular is rather poor. ive been wanting to get a new phone, but cant find anything worthwhile.

 

[yg17]

i say stay away from cingular.

verizon performs consistently better.

I agree. I have Cingular and sometimes believe I would be better off with 2 tin cans and a string.

 

[Stridder44]

i say stay away from cingular.

verizon performs consistently better.

Im not so sure about that, other than I always get excellent service/full bars/whatever you want to call it.

i like the sony ericsson s710a's (i think thats the model) and phones similar to that. personally, i have a razr, i dont think it's horrible, but text messaging is a bitch on the keypad.

I think any (current) SonyEricsson phone will be good for you. I love the UI and the usability of the phones, compared to something like the RAZR, which my mother has and is crap (not to mention slow). I can't understand why people want one of those things (aside from the size). Anyway, I have a SonyEricsson Z520a and it is really, really nice.

 

[w_parietti22]

i say stay away from cingular.

verizon performs consistently better.

But... but... cingular has the least droped calls!

Cingular does have the best phones though.

 

[Phat_Pat]

here in the bay area cingular is the "best wireless network"

 

[cycocelica]

i say stay away from cingular.

verizon performs consistently better.

It really depends on where you live and go. I have had cingular forever and have never had a problem. Verizon on the other hand doesnt even get service at my house. It really depends on where someone lives.

As for your wife, I would suggest getting the Nokia 6102. Durable and big screens. Also very bright. Its pretty basic but you can call people and it works really well.

 

[nbs2]

I remember my Moto being a bit slow, but my SE (T637) does have a tendency to lock up for a couple of seconds and then preform every action that I pushed the buttons for all at once. That can be a bit disconcerting. I don't know if any of the other SE users have had the same/similar problems, it may have been just the T637 line or just my phone. It is enough that barring the iPhone, I will be reconsidering Moto for my next phone.

Oh, and another Cingular user here - with better service from them than with Verizon (except in the Metro tunnels where V has an exclusive contract)