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I need a new phone, non-iPhone

SnowLeopard2008

SnowLeopard2008

macrumors 604
Original poster
Jul 4, 2008
6,772
19
Silicon Valley
My LG KE500 "Shine" has been through too much and in addition to a cracked LCD panel, the damn thing won't charge. So I need a new phone, NOT an iPhone. I would like it to be under $200, with at least a basic 1.3MP camera and video recording capability. Has the be GSM, and unlocked (I'm on T-Mo). I was thinking somewhere along the lines of a smartphone. I don't like flip phones, and some cheapo iPhone knockoff is not going to cut it. Welcome to any suggestions, just no flips.
 
blackberry. You can find a blackberry pearl 8120 on ebay for less than $200. if you don't need the wifi than look for a 8100, they're cheaper. I got mine because it was "used" and had "scratches" from use. But when I got it it was less than a month old without scratches. LOL.
 
DiSFLyLaTiNa said:
blackberry. You can find a blackberry pearl 8120 on ebay for less than $200. if you don't need the wifi than look for a 8100, they're cheaper. I got mine because it was "used" and had "scratches" from use. But when I got it it was less than a month old without scratches. LOL.
Click to expand...

Second on Blackberries. I would stay away from Windows Mobile, but then again, that is just my opinion.
 
I'm settling for a BlackBerry Pearl 8110. But now I'm deciding on the color. I have black, silver/grey, and red. Which color would you recommend? I'm a guy, so keep that in mind. The red is not pink-red, but a solid red color.
 
yeah, to be honest, the white is pretty nice looking. I had the pearl when it first release a few years ago, and I loved it. Of course, it was the plain black model. Idk, man, color is totally up to you...
 
A few reasons why I can't go iPhone. One, I'm 15 and I only have about $200 to spend. I'm on T-Mo for about another year (2 year contract) and then I can switch. The next generation iPhone is coming in less than half a year, I can wait for that. And the iPhone data plan is very expensive.
 
Wait!!! Before you settle for a BB Pearl, wait a little bit for the BB Curve 8900. It's brand new and has wayyy more features than the Pearl or the previous Curve, plus it's the lightest and thinnest BB w/ full QWERTY keyboard. :)
 
Mr. Giver '94 said:
Wait!!! Before you settle for a BB Pearl, wait a little bit for the BB Curve 8900. It's brand new and has wayyy more features than the Pearl or the previous Curve, plus it's the lightest and thinnest BB w/ full QWERTY keyboard. :)
Click to expand...

Hmm, while that would be ideal, since the 8900 pretty much blows every other BB away, I think the OP wanted an unlocked phone so that he can just throw in his sim and be on his way. I don't think the 8900 is gonna selling unlocked right at release.
 
SnowLeopard2008 said:
A few reasons why I can't go iPhone. One, I'm 15 and I only have about $200 to spend. I'm on T-Mo for about another year (2 year contract) and then I can switch. The next generation iPhone is coming in less than half a year, I can wait for that. And the iPhone data plan is very expensive.
Click to expand...
You can get a used iPhone for around 200 (original, or 3g if your lucky).
You can unlock the phone to use with Tmobile.
Data plan is not required, has wifi (though data is really nice to have)
Though, I agree about the next gen iPhone.
 
DeusInvictus7 said:
Hmm, while that would be ideal, since the 8900 pretty much blows every other BB away, I think the OP wanted an unlocked phone so that he can just throw in his sim and be on his way. I don't think the 8900 is gonna selling unlocked right at release.
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Well I was thinkin about one myself (as a backup) and they actually are selling them on eBay unlocked, but expensive.
 
VPrime said:
You can get a used iPhone for around 200 (original, or 3g if your lucky).
You can unlock the phone to use with Tmobile.
Data plan is not required, has wifi (though data is really nice to have)
Though, I agree about the next gen iPhone.
Click to expand...

I agree, but I have to spend < $200 not around $200. I don't want some broken or screwed up iPhone EDGE either lol :D

Mr. Giver '94 said:
Well I was thinkin about one myself (as a backup) and they actually are selling them on eBay unlocked, but expensive.
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I don't text much (like not at all) and I just want a small phone to use. Good quality, sturdy build quality, etc. I went with a BlackBerry Pearl 8110 grey/silver color in the end. The red seemed way to flashy, and would get "old" quickly. The black is too ... generic. The silver looks pretty awesome.
 
SnowLeopard2008 said:
I don't text much (like not at all) and I just want a small phone to use. Good quality, sturdy build quality, etc. I went with a BlackBerry Pearl 8110 grey/silver color in the end. The red seemed way to flashy, and would get "old" quickly. The black is too ... generic. The silver looks pretty awesome.
Click to expand...

Having that info, I'd definitely go with the Pearl. :)

Silver. Good choice!
 
SnowLeopard2008 said:
My LG KE500 "Shine" has been through too much and in addition to a cracked LCD panel, the damn thing won't charge. So I need a new phone, NOT an iPhone. I would like it to be under $200, with at least a basic 1.3MP camera and video recording capability. Has the be GSM, and unlocked (I'm on T-Mo). I was thinking somewhere along the lines of a smartphone. I don't like flip phones, and some cheapo iPhone knockoff is not going to cut it. Welcome to any suggestions, just no flips.
Click to expand...

Unlocked nokia or sony ericsson is the best you can get. and not from best buy, go amazon.

or buy a japanese phone from shady markets in singapore :p

http://www.amazon.com/s/qid=1233991...83273011&low-price=0&high-price=200&x=11&y=16


Unlocked LG under 200
http://www.amazon.com/LG-Black-Labe..._1_5?ie=UTF8&s=wireless&qid=1233991086&sr=1-5

a cool little sony ericsson
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Ericsson..._1_6?ie=UTF8&s=wireless&qid=1233991086&sr=1-6

nokias under 200
http://www.amazon.com/s/sr=41-10/qi...1188,n:283273011,p_36:-20099,p_4:Nokia&page=1
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
samsung blackjack 2.

had the first gen, and loved it....till i switched to the iphone.
 
I can't believe this.. a forum full of technology users and not one of you mentioned the G1?! I am ashamed to post here so often. :D

The T-Mobile G1 might not meet your price requirements, but it is one of the best phones T-Mobile has right now. I've used it with the latest software available from Google (unlocked on at&t) and I love the software. Hardware is passable compared to the shiny elegance of the iPhone, but the G1 is unarguably the best phone T-Mobile currently offers.
 
8767092 said:
I can't believe this.. a forum full of technology users and not one of you mentioned the G1?! I am ashamed to post here so often. :D

The T-Mobile G1 might not meet your price requirements, but it is one of the best phones T-Mobile has right now. I've used it with the latest software available from Google (unlocked on at&t) and I love the software. Hardware is passable compared to the shiny elegance of the iPhone, but the G1 is unarguably the best phone T-Mobile currently offers.
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The OP doesn't want to use the phone for extreme texting or data usage and wants it to be unlocked. It is a good phone, but isn't what the OP is looking for. :)
 
Actually, no I haven't purchased it yet. My dad will buy it for me tomorrow, so I still have tonight to change my mind if I choose another phone. Keep the suggestions coming, I really appreciate it. :)
 
SnowLeopard2008 said:
Actually, no I haven't purchased it yet. My dad will buy it for me tomorrow, so I still have tonight to change my mind if I choose another phone. Keep the suggestions coming, I really appreciate it. :)
Click to expand...

Oh sorry. From what you said earlier it sounded like you had already purchased it. :)

I think the Pearl would be good, but you should also check out the G1 just to see if it's better suited for you.
 
Mr. Giver '94 said:
Oh sorry. From what you said earlier it sounded like you had already purchased it. :)

I think the Pearl would be good, but you should also check out the G1 just to see if it's better suited for you.
Click to expand...

I took a look at the G1. Awesome phone and all, right up in the iPhone's alley, but too expensive. In the end, I think I'll just tell my dad to order the BB Pearl tomorrow morning. I just have one question for everyone. If I buy the Blackberry Pearl 8110 unlocked, will I still be able to use the GPS function? The phone in question is AT&T branded, but it is unlocked and I'm planning to use it on T-Mobile's network.
 
SnowLeopard2008 said:
I took a look at the G1. Awesome phone and all, right up in the iPhone's alley, but too expensive. In the end, I think I'll just tell my dad to order the BB Pearl tomorrow morning. I just have one question for everyone. If I buy the Blackberry Pearl 8110 unlocked, will I still be able to use the GPS function? The phone in question is AT&T branded, but it is unlocked and I'm planning to use it on T-Mobile's network.
Click to expand...

Since TMobile also has a GPS service and Blackberrys, you should be fine unless they charge for it, which I don't believe they do. :)
 
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