Morn'in Coffee,
Well, the 8 year old Motorola RAZR cell phone has found its end. I have read numerous fix-it discussions for this phone and have torn it down to the bones two times. The phone, with the last teardown has operated for about 2 weeks; but is now back to never-never land.
We use Verizon as our cell phone provider and will remain with them. The best replacement choice will be a middle priced smart phone. For all practical purposes, the phone will have primary use as a plain cell phone.
Might you have a recommendation for choices (models). I always do my homework with this type of purchase; but will base the research upon choices that may be provided here.
Thank you for your time and effort with this.
Regards,
Catch
Comments
Our family use iPhones because we are adopting both Windows and iOS platforms. We considered Android based smartphones, but decided to stay with iPhones and they are well designed.
I've talked to wifey about this. I have computer access to internet at work, and also at home. why you need iphone is beyond my understanding. I understand you can serve the net any where but most of the times I spend are at work and enjoying my family. why you need to be on the net all time???
we do have cheap phones that use text to each other are appropriate.
personally about 100s-130s dollars + taxes /month for 2 phones are not really worth it. If you do work for a major large companies or governments, they [phone companies] may give you about 10-15% discount [at least this is what they are doing at att]
just my two cents
You noted: "I've talked to wifey about this. I have computer access to internet at work, and also at home. why you need iphone is beyond my understanding. I understand you can serve the net any where but most of the times I spend are at work and enjoying my family. why you need to be on the net all time???
>>>>> I don't know that the above is just writing what you are thinking outloud or if you directed this towards me. The "you" perhaps was intended to be "one". My original question had nothing to do with being on the net all of the time. But, I presume a smart phone used as a cell phone with the option for other features may be of benefit.
we do have cheap phones that use text to each other are appropriate.
personally about 100s-130s dollars + taxes /month for 2 phones are not really worth it.
>>>>> You didn't note a vendor name (phone) or plan for your phones; so I didn't gain any knowledge from this portion.
Take care,
Catch
Hi Catch
You are perfectly right. some of the smart phone have many features and are very 'smart'. What are your thoughts about getting ipads? these are little more money but much worth it, better than lap tops/cell phones or pc. You probably can get google voice or msn messenger voice on ipads [google.com/voice] and use it as a cell phone, but be careful because google may records your conversations.
You noted:
"What are your thoughts about getting ipads? these are little more money but much worth it, better than lap tops/cell phones or pc."
>>>>> Our daughter will likely get an Ipad for use with school; as this environment is changing rapidly. Mom and Dad will remain with cell phones; perhaps of the Smart variety. I suppose one may consider an Ipad better than a laptop depending upon ones needs. But, I won't buy an Ipad type device today thinking it would replace this laptop I am using to write this.
Thanks,
Catch
With respect to Verizon's smartphones, you may wish to check out the website below for customer review.
http://www.phonescoop.com/articles/reviews.php?c=2
Previously we had simple G2 LG clamshell phones for a number of years that serve our purposes well enough. Personally battery life is the number one consideration plus ease of use. Middle of the road model would do the job without paying $200 or more. Today our phone choice was made by my spouse.
I think you will find smartphones are considerably easier to navigate between various functions and they also store music as well. Whenever you are in free wifi locations (coffee shops and airports), you can surf the web using the phone's wifi capability.
Good luck.
Thank you for your notes. The wifi aspect of the smart phones do add value, in my opinion, too. And we all know wifi is just about everywhere today.
I will check your link; and I always look for discussion forums to get clues about what folk do or do not like about a product.
Take care,
Catch
http://www.howardforums.com/forumdisplay.php/36-General-Mobile-Discussion-Forums
Several years ago my wife decided we should give iPhone a try and we like it. She has the the latest model and get the use the full capabilities, while I am happy with iPhone2 for what I use it for.
Fair to say for all smartphones, the large LCD display and their search capabilities will consume battery life. Ours last 2 to 3 days max before recharging. That is about half the life comparing to our old clamshell phones. As long as you are aware of it, you won't be disappointed.
My wife and I had these phone in a family plan, when her ear speaker died 3 years ago, she switched to Blackberry Perl clamshell (free upgrade) and when the battery of that phone stopped charging, she wanted to upgrade to a Smart Phone. So, she got Samsung Galaxy II phone and is happy with her. As is customary with Smart Phone plans, she has to subscribe to data plan as well. So, her cost is higher but she is using the data function.
We did split the family shared plan when she got smart phone in May. Now she is on an individual plan and I am on a pay-as-you-go plan that provides 1500 mins/texts per mont for $30/mo. That is a great deal if you only want text and talk. I decided to hold on until iPhone 5 is out. If T-Mobile decides not to provide iPhone when the time comes this fall, I will probably will switch phone company after about 10 years with them. I want iPhone as I use iTunes and my music, podcast and apps are better integrated in iPhone.
Derf
Mo, $30, 1500 mins talk or text plan is still available if you convert to pre-paid on T-Mobile. I've set up auto-recharge with credit card so it is painless to use and since I don't have a contract I can drop them if they do not offer iPhone 5 when it is released.
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-plans
Actually they do have two $30 plans. One has little data (which I have but not use any data on my dumb phone) and other is little voice and unlimited text and data (which is suitable for younger generations which does not talk but text and data extensively).
As for batteries, they are hit and miss. You can buy them cheap as low as a couple of dollars which would otherwise cost you $25-30 from the store. So, you can afford to buy a few and try your luck. I've bought batteries for Motorola Razr and Blackberry and while they do not last as good as original they are OK for the price.
For Amazon returns do not bother communicating with the vendor. File a return with Amazon and reason of return claim dead battery on arrival. Amazon forces these shops to get the return item and credits you or otherwise they can no longer sell at Amazon (Amazon holds some of their money to cover for these issues)
regards
Like others have mentioned it all boils down to what exactly you want the phone for "and" where you will be using it most often. A state of the art 4G something or other won't do you much good if you spend a lot of time in the boonies and hinterlands as I do. They're sweet if you're cruising a big city but 25 miles away in the sticks I get sporadic reception.
I'm with Verizon and use an iPhone 4s. In my neighborhood VZ provides the only reliable connection in the back country which is why I keep them as my carrier even though there are cheaper options if I just stay home. I chose the iPhone for enhanced integration with my laptop (MacBook), iPad and things Investor mentioned. For this old man there were just too many things to remember trying to make Android phones and the other toys play nice together. Don't get me wrong I still have trouble, but when I do I just hand everything over to my 2-yr old grandson and he sorts it all out for Bampa.
In summary I would say to decide on which carrier works for your primary location and purposes and then choose the phone. If you'd like toput off that decision go on Ebay, plug in your current model phone and see if there are any for sale. I did that 4-years ago when I drove over my last LG something or other and got a slightly used exact duplicate.
You noted: "In summary I would say to decide on which carrier works for your primary location and purposes and then choose the phone. If you'd like toput off that decision go on Ebay, plug in your current model phone and see if there are any for sale."
>>>>> I am going to check ebay, too. Have been a seller there since 1997;and most familiar with the site. If I can find a RAZR that is acceptable for condition; I may do this and place my phone's SIM into that phone.
We will remain with Verizon; as coverage is excellent in many places in MI and we also have a large number of friends and family with Verizon, which lets us call one another without charges/minutes reduced for everyone's plans.
Thank you, Mark.
Take care,
Catch
Howdy, thank you for this note. May check this, too. We will likely remain with Verizon; as coverage is excellent in many places in MI (and everywhere) and we also have a large number of friends and family with Verizon, which lets us call one another without charges/minutes reduced for everyone's plans.
Take care,
Catch
We just went with Consumer Cellular and got their one and only smart offering - a Motorola Bravo. It's OK for cheapskates and the digitally challenged (like the kid). Gee, we only switched over this past May as our contract expired with MaBell but I got wifey an IPad at the same time. I'm starting to make the switch to the Light Side and the IPad is my first serious move.
and so it goes,
peace,
rono