Cell phone recommendations

**p.dath** · 25th October 2010, 08:15

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.

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.

**Rockbuddy** · 25th October 2010, 08:24

iphone4 all the way no question

**Urano** · 25th October 2010, 08:41

i've got four macs and two ipods.
i'm on the apple side for more than ten years right now.

still, i don't like the iphone, and usually don't suggest it to friends.
i believe it's often bought much more for the look than for what it does.
but, considering your requests, it could be a good solution anyway.
go and give it a try.

if it fails, i like very much the sony ericsson xperia mini pro.
it's android.

**Edbear** · 25th October 2010, 08:50

A mate has an iPhone for his business and loves it. I got a free Nokia E63 from Vodafone and it's been perfect for my and my business. I wanted a bigger screen, mainly due to eyesight not being what it was, but I do like the QWERTY keyboard as well. My wife got the LG version because it was pink, but it's not as good as the Nokia...

My son bought himself the Nokia E71 and he loves it too.

**Suntoucher** · 25th October 2010, 09:45

If you don't mind ordering one in for $650(or paying a bit more and getting one on Trademe, $750) the Lenovo LePhone would be my recommendation. Android, powerful(have been playing Playstation games on mine) and has a 3.5mm jack for headphones. None of these annoying proprietry cables between the headphones and phone.

Have technical specs but think a better looking Samsung Galaxy with a slightly worse camera, else the rest is the same. Only $650 but need to import(supports XT, Vodafone and 2Degress).

Also has a nifty little keyboard extension that everyone needs to follow suit with. Packs in a tactile qwerty keyboard with built in second battery, speakers etc effectively turning it into a 4" netbook when you need it. And taking it off when you don't. About an extra $180. Plus microUSB, so it's standards heavy.

Received mine the other day and love it.

**Gremlin** · 25th October 2010, 09:52

I've had an E71 for a couple of years and an E61 for a year before that. Been very reliable and mail for exchange finally supports sub folders with v3. If you like qwerty as I do, rule out android, iphone. I hate win mobile as well. Currently trialling blackberry, as I've hit the limits of what the nokia can do, but its a good device.

**Grubber** · 25th October 2010, 10:02

If you could possibly find one that doesn't fuckin ring in the weekends i'd be in.

**Gremlin** · 25th October 2010, 10:57

pity that I need to be contacted 24/7 then. I have noticed the blackberry is capable of automatically turning off and on at designated hours morning and night...

**Grubber** · 25th October 2010, 11:58

Originally Posted by Gremlin

pity that I need to be contacted 24/7 then. I have noticed the blackberry is capable of automatically turning off and on at designated hours morning and night...

Awesome! suppose to be getting one of those very soon to replace the one i have. That should fix the weekend ringy thingy.

**kiwifruit** · 25th October 2010, 12:07

**JimO** · 25th October 2010, 12:15

i just bought a cheap a867 samsung touchscreen on tm for $150 its a atnt phone good camera etc

**SMOKEU** · 25th October 2010, 12:16

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.

**p.dath** · 25th October 2010, 15:00

Originally Posted by Gremlin

I've had an E71 for a couple of years and an E61 for a year before that. Been very reliable and mail for exchange finally supports sub folders with v3. If you like qwerty as I do, rule out android, iphone. I hate win mobile as well. Currently trialling blackberry, as I've hit the limits of what the nokia can do, but its a good device.

I biffed MailForExchange away. It worked, but was not that good. RoadSync by DataViz is so much better:
http://www.dataviz.com/products/roadsync/series60/

Straight off the bat, it syncs a lot more of the Exchange fields. If something breaks it has much better logs, and it was just plain well more reliable.

**p.dath** · 25th October 2010, 15:02

Originally Posted by Gremlin

I've had an E71 for a couple of years and an E61 for a year before that. Been very reliable and mail for exchange finally supports sub folders with v3. If you like qwerty as I do, rule out android, iphone. I hate win mobile as well. Currently trialling blackberry, as I've hit the limits of what the nokia can do, but its a good device.

I want a phone that I can easily email off - and I mean proper email messages not TXT speak.

What are the touch screens on the Android and iPhone like? I have had touch screens in the past, and have kinda gone off them as they tend to become less reliable over time. But perhaps with newer technology this has changed.

**p.dath** · 25th October 2010, 15:03

Originally Posted by SMOKEU

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'm buying it from a store 50 paces away from my office.