OT: Cell phone question

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 6:01 pm

This is for db or anyone else with expertise in the area.

What are the best review sites for cell phones? I'm not looking for the high-end users talking about the latest phones released in remote asian kingdoms, but nuts-and-bolts reviews of the standard fare.

I'm looking to replace my phone (a Sanyo SCP 6200). I don't have any use for a pda, camera or internet functions, so I'd like to see which of my options (I'm a Sprint user) is the best at archaic things like sound quality and durability

If there's a non-Sprint option that people can convince me is superlative, I'd be happy to switch, as I'm currently a phone free agent.

Thanks.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 8:34 pm

Verizon has the best coverage but I find it has the worst, sound quality. So if you travel a lot and need more coverage Verizon is the best. However I wish I had another option becuase Verizon not only offers poor sound but there funs are lousy. They don't give you that many options and generally they are woefully behind.

vraknari · Post by **vraknari** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 10:47 pm

www.phonescoop.com is where i go for my cell phone information..

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 11:43 pm

Phonescoop is exactly what he said he DIDN'T want.

It actually is hard to find what you're looking for since cell phone providers are so widespread. For a guy who does a ton of cell reviews...

www.howardchui.com is probably the best. And if you want some high end user information their forums are pretty damn sweet as well.

For my recommendation via Sprint...any of the Sanyo phones will do, specifically the Sanyo PM-8200. It's a damn solid phone with damn good sound quality.

Wco's right about Verizon...they have the best coverage, especially in So. Cal, but their call clarity leaves something to be desired. I stick with them because they are the only ones that cover the house my parents have in the mountains.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 1:41 am

Thanks guys. I'll check those out. Nobody around here seems as happy with their service as I've been with Sprint, so I think I'll sit tight. I just need to extort them for a new phone.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 1:55 am

dbdynsty25 wrote:Wco's right about Verizon

I am?

Actually, I've tried Sprint and Verizon and the latter is better around where I live, although both are CDMA.

If you have any interest in traveling abroad, a GSM carrier like T-Mobile or Cingular might have some appeal. But that's a once in awhile thing and you have to worry about your daily use.

Personally, I'm wary of getting into a long-term deal because they're suppose to implement 3G any day now. Then you have a whole set of new phones and features to deal with. So if you put down a lot or commit a lot of money, you may end up with an antiquated phone in a year or two (which is why I can't understand people paying $400 or more for those Treos and so forth).

BTW, Sprint is trying to acquire Nextel.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:47 am

Oops...Jrod...my bad.

Sport73 · Post by **Sport73** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 10:28 am

Merger talks are rampant with Sprint and Nextel, which would make a POWERFUL combination. If you can, I'd wait it out a few weeks to see if anything transpires...After all, you'll want that walkie-talkie feature in your next Sprint phone if this deal goes through.

GSM-based services (T-Mobile, AT&T) are best for international travel (which is why a chose T-Mobile).

I couldn't live without BlueTooth in a phone at this point, so I'd make sure you have that.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 10:57 am

NEXTEL needs all of the help it can get from Sprint. My buddy who works in NEXTEL Cup racing called me often on his NEXTEL cell phone during the racing season as he was returning from the track. The connection died at least 50 percent of the time.

I know hardly anyone who likes NEXTEL's service.

Here's another funny story about NEXTEL. As part of its deal to sponsor the top NASCAR series, NEXTEL brings mobile cell towers to every race so fans can have blanket coverage at the track. This year at the Brickyard 400, NEXTEL officials announced that its coverage wouldn't be very effective for some sort of technical reason.

WTF? You can't provide coverage for 300,000 people within a 750-acre facility, yet you want me to trust your service to provide me with nationwide coverage among a subscriber base of millions?

Thanks, I'll pass.

Take care,
PK