New Phone? Options

[mabr]

Alright folks I’m in the market for a new phone. It’s time to give up the Blackberry Curve and find a more user friendly phone. I just read the Verizon thread about them getting rid of the unlimited plan (which I have) and it got me thinking it might be time to renew.

A little back ground, Yeah I have a blackberry but it took pulling teeth to get me to start using it so switching to another technology is a big deal to me. I only use my browser to look for business addresses and phone #’s while on the road or look at current weather while at other places besides my home. Maybe occasionally searching the internet while waiting for customers or other boring times while out in the field. So I’m guessing I’m not a big time band user. BUT with all the new apps out there I’m sure I’d use more if a I had a phone where I could get these apps and understand how to use them.

So what are my options? I’m a building contractor who sometimes works in the field and it needs it to be, 1. durable, 2. dependable and 3. user friendly. I will most likely be upgrading my wife’s phone at the same time as we are both on the same plan.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

The first thing I would do is dump Verizon and switch to T-Mobile. Since you are out of contract you can save a lot of money by switching. Then get a Samsung phone in the size that best fits your hand. The Galaxy II is a great phone and the Galaxy III just came out. The phones are light weight and with a very thin TPU skin should be durable, but not bullet proof.

[SpecialK]

Biggest thing about switching providers is coverage area. I don't know about T-Mobiles coverage but I do know that even if you are on an unlimited plan they will throttle your speeds if you use a lot of bandwidth.

[PierBridge]

I personally wouldn't consider switching from Verizon if you are using your phone for business while traveling to different area's and you are happy with coverage you have now.

Lot's of options "the most by far" with Verizon. Head over to a Verizon store and talk with an agent, have them go over your current data usages, play around with some of many smart phones they have.

That would be my 1st plan of attack.

Good luck and keep us posted on how it turns out.

[Sand Burr]

G'zone Commando. Picked one up 1 1/2 ago and has been very nice. I have about the same type of usage as you. The phone is waterproof, shockproof, walleyeproof....

[straydog]

G'zone Commando. Picked one up 1 1/2 ago and has been very nice. I have about the same type of usage as you. The phone is waterproof, shockproof, walleyeproof....

I have one also and it is one tough phone, just wish the camera was a little better

[toughguy]

The first thing I would do is dump Verizon and switch to T-Mobile.

Not if you plan on leaving a populated area. T-Mobile coverage in rural areas is about as bad as it gets. I travel to rural areas across the country for work and I can tell you Verizon is the best there is for coverage.

The Galaxy 3 is coming to Verizon in a few weeks. I've heard good things about it too. I'm waiting for the new iPhone in Sept. My old Droid X is starting to show its age.

[Scott K]

I would like to add ATT has came a long way in their coverage in the last 3 years, and I would say they compete well in most areas. I travel around the midwest a bit, and have good coverage the majority of the time.

[toughguy]

I agree. ATTs purchase of Alltel boosted their rural coverage in the midwest and west a lot. There's ATT and Verizon at the top and everyone else when it comes to coverage IMO.

[mabr]

Thanks for the replys, Im going to stick with Verizon, although i know there higher usually but the service ive gotten COVERAGE has been the best ive ever had and ive tried others in the past. Looks like asking the stores is my best option.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I agree, you can't beat their coverage. The new iPhone might well be worth the wait at this point. At least I would wait till Sept to see anyway. Good luck.

[RuKiddingMe]

As much as it pains me to say it go with the iPhone and throw an otterbox or a lifeproof case on it, they hold up very well. The iPhone is incredibly easy to use and it just works, which it sounds like is all you are looking for.

I'm certainly NOT an apple guy but every time someone who just wants a smartphone to use as a general user I recommend the iPhone, now if you were a tech junkie I would say stay away from iPhone and go Android, but then again if that were the case this question would have never been posted.

Plus if you are upgrading your wife at the same time the iPhone is a "Hip" accessory with any outfit these days... HAHA

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I did the Android OS with the HTC EVO. I really liked that everything can be customized, and all the free apps.

I switched about a year ago to the iPhone 4S (Sprint), and I really like this phone. The battery life is great and the OS is incredibly stable. It seemed like every day I was having to take the battery out of my EVO to do a reset.

If you want something that just plain works, I think the iPhone is great. If you want something that can be customized a little bit more, then anything Android is a good option.

[mabr]

We went in to verizon last week to see what was available and talk with them. Seems my best bet will be to wait until my contract expires in October and see what offers they have then. Guy said septemeber is when all the new ones will be coming out. So thats our plan at least for right now.