vB Easy Archive - I'm never buying a smartphone again

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I'm never buying a smartphone again
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Posted by: Powder

I like having the convenience of being able to surf the net anywhere I can get a phone signal. However, these things break too damned much and I don't think they are worth the money anymore. About 3 years ago I bought a Treo 650. It was a great phone at the time. The problem though was I had to send it in for a replacement twice in the first year that I owned it. The only time only reason I only sent two of them back, was because it went out again right after the warranty period expired (1 year of course). Now I've never dropped my phone, spilled water on it, or anything. Certain buttons would just stop working, the touch screen wouldn't work, etc, etc, etc. I wasn't about to pay $500 for another one of those POS's.

So finally about 6 months ago, I bought a Cingular 8525. Its a very nice phone. But again, this thing already broke a couple months ago. The USB port on it just quit working. So I was unable to sync it with my pc, unable to listen to any music or phone conversations with my headset, or anything else that needed to plug into it. I sent it in and got a replacement. Only about 2 months later, and now this one, the screen goes completely white at random times, and most of the external buttons don't work. I'm gonna send this in for another replacement, but I'm so tempted to just say screw it, sell it on eBay, and buy something no so complicated and fragile, like maybe a RAZR. I don't think the extra $20/month is really worth being able to surf the net from my phone anyway.

Posted by: manchuia

The Treo 600 / 650 were so buggy as devices that I believe it led to Tmobile dropping them (Treos) as an option in their lineup. That is an experience felt by all.

The 8525 is odd.. that platform is pretty solid.

These same issues (breaking USB, white screen, etc.) are not smartphone specific and could happen to any phone you buy

Posted by: ace587

im sporting pimped out hp 6515, and never failed on me, i had a 6315 before, im digging these hps now, though theyre not as my primary phones, i only use the pda function, theyre backups for wherever i go

Posted by: manchuia

primary the n95 or the 903 (I KNOW you love that 903)

Posted by: ace587

Quote:

Originally Posted by manchuia

primary the n95 or the 903 (I KNOW you love that 903)

LOL, its N80, i only whip out my 903sh when im off campus, all those straps can get attention

N80 is my monster phone at school

Posted by: manchuia

man ..you went to the n80... really? Between battery complaints, slider complaints, and memory complaints I'd figure you would have steered clear

Posted by: ace587

Quote:

Originally Posted by manchuia

man ..you went to the n80... really? Between battery complaints, slider complaints, and memory complaints I'd figure you would have steered clear

its funny, coz mines always on sleep mode when i dont use it, so i get 3 days battery life, big memory card, and yes my slider is so beautiful, with a nice jessica alba theme, i prefer it, since its more stable and has a smoother UI than N73, pics are sweet in landscape mode even without AF, the N73 and N95 have color issues. N80 get as natural as u can get, its loaded with programs and wifi, not a problem i always have a charger with me, i get max 2 days on heavy use. plus my N80 is metal and made in Finland branded with an o2 theme w00t

combine that with my 6515's pda function and GPS and a 903sh camera OH BABY

Posted by: Zap2

Unlucky..but really you only used 2 companies....one which has started to suck recently....

Posted by: monkeyboy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powder

I'm gonna send this in for another replacement, but I'm so tempted to just say screw it, sell it on eBay, and buy something no so complicated and fragile, like maybe a RAZR. I don't think the extra $20/month is really worth being able to surf the net from my phone anyway.

I've had my "smartphone" a PalmOS Samsung i500 for the past four years, without incident, very solid, doesn't crash, etc. Modern "non-smartphones" are just as complicated and fragile and flakey. It has nothing to do with smart vs dumb. You mention the RAZR, just read the extensive reviews on the RAZR from *longterm* owners (www.phonescoop.com for example). The RAZR gets VERY POOR reliability reviews. Common complaints are that it freezes, slow response, multiple button hits required to register, shoddy build quality, etc, etc.

OTOH, it seems that your main priority wrt the smartphone is websurfing. Well these days, you certainly don't need a smartphone just to do websurfing. So yes, I would recommend to you that you get a solid, non-smartphone with a large QVGA screen that is known to run a decent webbrowser, and perhaps with a good internal email client. I'll bet that meets 95% or more of your interests, and at a lower price. Phones like the Katana DLX on Sprint meet that spec. Use the Opera Mini 4 browser and you'll be very happy surfing.

Or alternatively, get a midrange "smartphone", like the Dash or Blackjack. Half the price of the smartphones that you've been going for, but just as good for surfing and email.

As far as the $20/mo, I agree... I wouldn't pay $20/mo for data. Tmo has its Tzones service for just $6/mo that is perfectly fine for websurfing and email. And Sprint with its SERO plans, are $30/mo TOTAL for voice AND hi speed data (EVDO) (essentially the data is free).

Posted by: Powder

Quote:

Originally Posted by monkeyboy

I've had my "smartphone" a PalmOS Samsung i500 for the past four years, without incident, very solid, doesn't crash, etc. Modern "non-smartphones" are just as complicated and fragile and flakey. It has nothing to do with smart vs dumb. You mention the RAZR, just read the extensive reviews on the RAZR from *longterm* owners (www.phonescoop.com for example). The RAZR gets VERY POOR reliability reviews. Common complaints are that it freezes, slow response, multiple button hits required to register, shoddy build quality, etc, etc.

OTOH, it seems that your main priority wrt the smartphone is websurfing. Well these days, you certainly don't need a smartphone just to do websurfing. So yes, I would recommend to you that you get a solid, non-smartphone with a large QVGA screen that is known to run a decent webbrowser, and perhaps with a good internal email client. I'll bet that meets 95% or more of your interests, and at a lower price. Phones like the Katana DLX on Sprint meet that spec. Use the Opera Mini 4 browser and you'll be very happy surfing.

Or alternatively, get a midrange "smartphone", like the Dash or Blackjack. Half the price of the smartphones that you've been going for, but just as good for surfing and email.

As far as the $20/mo, I agree... I wouldn't pay $20/mo for data. Tmo has its Tzones service for just $6/mo that is perfectly fine for websurfing and email. And Sprint with its SERO plans, are $30/mo TOTAL for voice AND hi speed data (EVDO) (essentially the data is free).

Really I don't know what I'm gonna do yet. I'm thinking of even switching carriers if I find a good option. I've been with Cingular for about 6 years now, so I'm well out of contract. I think I'm realizing that web browsing is not as good a convenience as I thought it was. I think the only high priorities I will have on a new phone is an mp3 players and bluetooth. I really don't need email.

Posted by: suthurnlatino

I had a problem with the 650 where it started thinking it was always in cradle mode. That was after years of usage though. Now the 8525, that has worked for me since I got it which was a little bit after they launched.

Posted by: Fred333

Sounds like you just needed an upgrade. My Smartphone has worked fine for me too.

Posted by: action-packed

Step into the land of blackberry my friend. The curve it great.

Posted by: FFR

if browsing is your top priority, why dont you try an iphone

Posted by: Deeva

i just had the same thing happen to my x01ht. Supposedly it was brand new from a seller in Vancouver...however, less than 2 weeks of owning I have the white screen issue and he refuses to do anything about it whatsoever. Now I'm stuck with a phone that I thought was amazind that has good days and bad days...whichever days it decides to work. This weekend I purchased a brand new BB Pearl...hopefully I won't have the same experience.

Posted by: homobile

I've had my Dash for just under a year(since it was released)and haven't had any problems with it.But for casual browsing and mp3 and bluetooth,I suggest a Sony Ericsson.I've had the w810 for 2 years and it's a great phone!You'll def need the Opera mini browser,but it's a free download so no extra charge.I would suggest steering clear of the w580 though.I've read the keys crack pretty easily on it.

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