Cell phone recommendations

[Edbear]

I made my final decision today, a Nokia E5. This appears to be a newer version of the E63/E71. Main difference is even longer battery life, smaller, lihter and better screen.

I mostly decided against the iPhone/Android versions because the idea of having to charge the phone daily was not attractive. The idea of not being able to even make it through a weekend was even less attractive.

I took a look at the iPhone web browser, and although ok I couldn't seriously see myself using it unless an emergency. The experience is not good enough.

I also value phone stability highly, and as a result, don't think I would have risked installing iPhone/Android apps unless really needed. Having said that, there are plenty of Symbian apps (Symbian being the OS Nokia use).

Looks okay, got a 5meg camera to my 2meg but I've got video-calling which the E5 doesn't seem to have, or have I missed it on the features?

[p.dath]

Looks okay, got a 5meg camera to my 2meg but I've got video-calling which the E5 doesn't seem to have, or have I missed it on the features?

Not sure. I only ever tried video calling once, and decided it really wasn't for me.

Just checked the phone, and for each number I can choose to "Call" or "Video Call", so I guess it can do it.

[Edbear]

Not sure. I only ever tried video calling once, and decided it really wasn't for me.

Just checked the phone, and for each number I can choose to "Call" or "Video Call", so I guess it can do it.

Ah, cool, I must have missed it reading the specs. I don't use my video call either as my wife's phone doesn't have it. I think it costs a bit more as well.

[Gremlin]

My recommendation is not to replace it at all.

I've been without a cell phone for three months after christ knows how many years of thinking I couldn't do without it. It's fucken awesome. I love it.

heh, I was finally driven to madness by my phone hanging on calls as I tried to pick them up. Off to google, found it was the firmware (only happened since upgrading to v3 from v1) but PC Suite didn't want to know about v5. A call to Vodafone and Nokia, use Ovi... bugger... didn't like it the first time I tried it.

Installed, download the firmware, hmmm, nothing on the home screen. Restart. "Phone startup failed. Please contact retailer". Well shit

Dash to the office (half an hour without a phone? Hell no!), grab the blackberry then onto other appointments.

Sit down this evening, manage a hard reset and now I have v5 firmware and spent an hour or two doing most of the configurations and software again. And I STILL don't have an application to log calls to my calendar... so I'll test the blackberry again, but at least the Nokia is working again...

[Urano]

symbian????
symbian????????

that's a devil's work.
it should be closed in a room a hundred meters into the ground, with no windows and with red pentacles on the walls.

[p.dath]

And I STILL don't have an application to log calls to my calendar... so I'll test the blackberry again, but at least the Nokia is working again...

It wont go to your calendar, but what about the call log on all Nokia's?

[SPman]

We've got HTC Desires....battery life is OK if you turn off all the features and just leave them as phones.......

[Gremlin]

It wont go to your calendar, but what about the call log on all Nokia's?

Yep, used the call log plenty, but as you say, it won't file the calls in the calendar, which would then sync with the exchange server. I was often saying I had heaps of calls, boss needed to see proof, so this will be easy, plus giving me all the exchange/outlook functionality to search the calls. I've also set up a conditional formatting to colour all calls with "call" in the subject yellow, so easy to see.

Just completed set up of a loan Bold 9000, syncing to the BES I built. Bit of a learning curve to figure out what does what, but so far, I'm mostly enjoying the enhanced functionality the Bold has. Blackberry is definitely a business tool, found an app called Addonis which is really handy at automatically filing all calls to calendar and I can create tasks from sms or email as well.

[phiretrojan]

I lost my cell phone at the beginning of the long weekend, and don't expect to see it back.

I had a Nokia E61i. I like Nokia's as I have found them reliable, although their customer support was poor in the one time I needed help (trying to get updated daylight savings software - they kept insisting I wipe my phone and that I was doing something wrong - and couldn't understand that NZ had changed the DST start and end dates, which would require a change to their software).

I liked the E61i because it had a full keyboard, which made doing email much easier, could go a decent amount of time between charging, and most of all, was very reliable.

I have had about 4 generations of Microsoft Windows mobile devices. They were all poor. And I don't want to ever get another one of their devices.


I took a look at the Apple iPhone 4 - but when you Google that device you get lots and lots of people complaining about call connection and quality issues. Also we have a business Vodafone TalkZone plan, and it doesn't look like they make you buy an iPhone on a special iPhone plan, so I am not sure I can get it put on out work plan.

overprice piece of shit, i have the iphone 3g and i hate it i just use it for a game i play which the Authenticator for it is free,

I took a look at the Samsung Galaxy, a Google Android device. It seems ok.





And I took a look at a nice and simple Nokia E63. I kinda leaning towards it. Would be nice if it had a better web browser, but I don't use the web on my phone very much (or perhaps I choose not to use the web on my phone because the experience is not great).

What I really want from a cell phone is really good email support with native support for Microsoft Exchange using ActiveSync, bluetooth to connect to my car kit, and least 2 hours of talk time. I wouldn't mind have a decent web browser on it, but I can sacrifice this if the device has better email support. I do like listening to music on my phone as well.
I don't care about having a camera or GPS support.

So what are your recommendations? I'm a bit overwhelmed with the number of options available on the Vodafone network.

If you havnt got a phone yet....

Iphone overprice piece of shit, i have the iphone 3g and i hate it i just use it for a game i play which the Authenticator for it is free,

Samsung Galaxy! hands down no other options would kill this. now you are talking the Samsung Galaxy i just did a few test cases on this device this product is so wonderful, easy to use, email setting up is easy.. Exchange setup so userfriendly to setup and the best feature is Layar! i love it! .....

easy to sync, the software should be on the phone so once you plug your usb into your pc it should prompt you to install it......

my honest (as a Test Analysis for a telecommucation company) get the Samsung Galaxy at the moment there are fixes than needs to be updated which is no biggie, overall device is excellent, i would say as most phone quotes, "IPHONE KILLER" this is 100% one of those devices

[Gremlin]

The post above bumped the thread...

p.dath, if you want native support for Microsoft Exchange using ActiveSync, ActiveSync is a Microsoft software, meaning you will have to use a Windows Mobile phone, as none of the other phones (as far as I am aware) will use ActiveSync. They use technologies that are similar etc however.

Nokia has announced the E7, if you like Nokias, but it is not available in NZ via a carrier, yet.

[p.dath]

The post above bumped the thread...

p.dath, if you want native support for Microsoft Exchange using ActiveSync, ActiveSync is a Microsoft software, meaning you will have to use a Windows Mobile phone, as none of the other phones (as far as I am aware) will use ActiveSync. They use technologies that are similar etc however.

Nokia has announced the E7, if you like Nokias, but it is not available in NZ via a carrier, yet.

I ended up getting a Nokia E5. It's runs the Symbian OS. It natively supports ActiveSync. It works great.

[scumdog]

My recommendation is not to replace it at all.

I've been without a cell phone for three months after christ knows how many years of thinking I couldn't do without it. It's fucken awesome. I love it.

On a similar theme: I use my cell-phone when it is actually NEEDED for a purpose, people find it that I go through a whole $20 worth of txt and calls every three months or so..

For a lot of people cell-phones are a gimmick, only used because they are right there in their hot little hand.

"wssup"
"nting"
"k"

[scissorhands]

GSM Arena review WTF???


HTC Magic review: Practical magic
GSMArena team, 15 July 2009.

* HTC Magic specs
* User opinions and reviews
* Comments (27)



A cool looking touchscreen carrying a new mobile OS was enough to get the attention of even the most hardened of them techies last time we checked. Fair enough, the HTC Magic isn't groundbreaking but the Cupcake-ful of changes it brings, promise a whole new experience.



Well, for starters the Android sure looks more human. The formidable and weapon-like G1/ HTC Dream needed every ounce of weight to stand its ground. With an honestly lighthearted and disarming approach, the HTC Magic is willing to play by the conventional touchscreen rules. And may as well be eyeing massive sales. Compact dimensions and distinct styling, decent all round functionality and system expandability, the HTC Magic seems to have what it takes to keep both smart and feature phone touchscreens on edge. The second edition of the OS should have dealt with the issues of the forerunner and given the Magic that extra bit of pace. So, what do you call a good platform getting better and a gadget looking more mainstream but still creative enough? We call it good sense but who knows, it may be Magic.
Key features

* Android OS v1.5 Cupcake
* 3.2" capacitive touchscreen of HVGA resolution
* Qualcomm MSM 7201A 528 MHz CPU, 192/288 MB RAM
* Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support
* 3G with HSDPA 7.2 Mbps and HSUPA 2Mbps
* 3.15 megapixel autofocus camera
* Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
* GPS
* Trackball navigation
* Accelerometer sensor
* Digital compass
* Compact and stylish body

Main disadvantages

* No video-call camera
* No Flash support in the web browser
* No file transfers over Bluetooth
* No FM radio

In the beginning there was the unforgiving vastness of G1. Come to think of it, mobile phone evolution has always moved from huge to small. Android for one is quite aware and unafraid to press the fast-forward on evolution. Anyway, Google and their HTC counterparts feel confident enough to concentrate on style. Size mattered when they were about to take their first dip in the shark pond. Size matters even more when they're gearing up to beat a legion of seasoned touchscreens at their own game.



Full-touch handsets have been all the rage, and every manufacturer is putting their best effort to not merely stay in the game but influence it. Google DNA and HTC craftsmanship, the Magic almost has the impact guaranteed but how it translates into actual sales is perhaps the first thing on everyone's mind.

The HTC Magic is in for a real challenge and we are keen to see what it's got. We're back after the jump and ready to judge the game plan by the kit.






WHO WRITES THIS CRAP??

[Gremlin]

I hate touchscreens and even more, virtual keyboards. When wanting to move on from my Nokia E71, I reduced my options massively just by saying I wanted a physical qwerty keyboard...

[Edbear]

Whatever you do, buy one from a physical shop that you don't live too far away from. With the shocking quality of phones these days, there is a good chance you'll need to get it repaired under warranty and if you buy the phone online you may have a hard time getting any after sales service. My last 3 phones; a Nokia, a Sanyo and a Sony Ericsson have all given me a lot of problems.

I gave my old Sony Ericsson K750i to my Mum, it was one of the first in the country and it's never given any trouble, still on original battery and she loves it! I just gave my old Nokia 6275i to her husband and apart from being a 2G phone works perfectly with camera/video etc. I got a free new 3G Nokia from TelstraClear which is the only reason the other one got to be unused. Terry had a VERY old Nokia with txt only so giving him my old one brought him into the 20th Century. I guess by the time I give him my new Nokia he'll be in the 21st Century. He's always been a hundred years behind, though...

My E63 Nokia is still perfect for anything I need, but I'm taking the Missus in to check out the new Nokia C3 as it's available in pink... and she's always complaining about the battery life on her LG. All the Nokia's I've owned have had great battery life, (as has the old K750i).