vB Easy Archive - Cingular Customer Needs Help Choosing Phone

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Cingular Customer Needs Help Choosing Phone
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Posted by: waylay00

Hello guys (I hope I'm not breaking any rules around here by posting this),

I'm a current Cingular (AT&T) customer, and I'm now eligible for another upgrade. To be honest though, I am, for the most part, completely clueless about mobile phones/PDA's. As far as I'm concerned, GSM and EDGE are the same thing.

Anyways, I've been pretty happy with my Motorola V400 flip phone that I've used since August of 2004. However, I'm due for an upgrade. I'd like to be able to browse the web comfortably, store MP3's, etc. I don't do much e-mail though. Having said that, I am looking at the Samsung Blackjack, considering it's on sale right now. Upon a first, albeit ignorant, glimpse, it seems to offer everything I need. Am I in the right direction?

Also

1) Is there any reason that I should wait the next few months to purchase a phone? (ie - is there anything coming out that is absolutely worth waiting for?)
2) What's the hype about the iPhone? Worth waiting for?
3) Where's a place where I can find some real answers regarding all these cell phone terms (GSM, EDGE, 3G, "unlocking", SIM cards, etc) and how they pertain to the mobile phones in general?

Thanks,
Wade

Posted by: element921

1) There's really no reason to wait for a few months to buy a phone in your situation unless you have $600 to shell out on an iPhone.

2) The iPhone isn't worth waiting for unless you don't want third party applications or a full QWERTY keyboard.

3) You can find out all of this here on this forum, if you ever need any help maybe add me to AIM, ICQ or MSN and I would be happy to help.

-ElemenT-

Posted by: waylay00

All right, I appreciate the help.

I guess my main concern is that I don't want to buy a phone such as the blackjack, only to be disappointed next week if, hypothetically, Cingular releases the "next-generation" blackjacks, or some type of blackjack "killer".

Posted by: DubDub

Quote:

Originally Posted by waylay00

All right, I appreciate the help.

I guess my main concern is that I don't want to buy a phone such as the blackjack, only to be disappointed next week if, hypothetically, Cingular releases the "next-generation" blackjacks, or some type of blackjack "killer".

If that is the issue, then you will never get a new phone. There is always something new rumored to be on the horizon.

Posted by: element921

Yeah, that is totally right. There is always a new, better phone coming out, but trust me, you will be satisfied with your Blackjack for a while. Especially at the price you will get it for. I got mine for $100 bucks and that is WAY less then one of the new service prices for Blackberry except for the Pearl, and I am satisfied with my phone. I love it and frankly, I would rather have my Blackjack than an iPhone.

-ElemenT-

Posted by: waylay00

Quote:

Originally Posted by DubDub

If that is the issue, then you will never get a new phone. There is always something new rumored to be on the horizon.

Well, obviously, but I'm talking about the immediate future, as in the next three weeks.

I intended to preemptively post a response to that statement, as I knew someone would say it

Thanks for the replies.

Posted by: xcrunner

The blackberry curve (http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=1208) comes out May 24th I believe if you want a smartphone. You would need the $30 blackberry plan though for it. Blackjacks are pretty cheap now, I bought one myself and I love it.

Posted by: acbusguru

SE W810i - 2.0 MP camera with autofocus, Great Walkman MP3 Player. Cant go wrong I bought one and love it.

SE W300i - Filp phone with VGA camera, with the Walkman player in a neat small package.

Nokia 6126, N75

Palm treo 680 (Palm OS) its the treo 650 without the stub antenna and Palm Treo 750 on Windows Mobile OS are good choices if you want a smartphone

All of the above are good choices for phones. Stay away from Motorola and Samsungs

Posted by: xcrunner

Quote:

Originally Posted by acbusguru

Stay away from Motorola and Samsungs

I disagree. Samsung makes a good selection all around I feel. They also don't have the best relationship with phone customers for no reason.

Posted by: waylay00

Well, I've had excellent results with Motorola, and not so much with SE. I had two SE's that were completely prone to random shutoffs, as well as other problems.

Considering its price ($75 AR), I don't think I can go wrong with the Blackjack. Thanks for the help guys.

Posted by: migo

Assuming the keyboard on the Blackjack is good, you'll probably be happy with it. Go in and try typing on their dummy phones, and see what you like. I compared a Dummy BB8700 to a real one for typing and the results were about the same. I thought it would be good after trying the dummy and it was good on the real thing. Considering how some of them have really ****** keyboards (Treo in my opinion is one of them), it's worth testing that first.

Posted by: razrblades

i vote blackjack which i love mine. or the samsung sync i know some will hate on this phone but i think its the best value at cingular and i work there. its durable we sold over 400 in the last 6 months and ive had 1 come back with a problem and that was because of water damage. if your looking for a good phone but dont want to drop the cash on a pda id suggest it.

Posted by: waylay00

All right, well I purchased the phone on Friday. So far I'm loving it.

However, I'm a little unclear on the plan. To get full-featured internet access, the rep told me I had to go with the $39.99 PDA plan. However, some have told me that you can go with the $19.99 plan and it makes no difference. Any clarification on this?

Also, what are some essential apps for the Blackjack? (I've read through all of the Blackjack hacks/tips/tricks thread, but most of the stuff in there is useless to me; I honestly have no need to overclock a phone

)

Thanks

Posted by: razrblades

your supposed to have the 39.99 pda plan for your rebate and if you really want your rebate i would leave it on there untill it comes back to you... i work for cingular and i will tell you everything from media max to pda plans work but its whether you can get a rep to put them on it. alot of people will pay retail for the blackjack and add media max plan to their phone then put there sim card in the blackjack and it works like a charm.. i can say first hand that there isnt any difference between the plans, but good luck convincing a sales rep to put anything other than a pda plan on there. pm me if you would like some help getting that plan on your blackjack i might be able to help.