vB Easy Archive - Need a basic flip phone

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Need a basic flip phone - suggestions?
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Posted by: BigDish

I'm currently a Cingular customer with a Motorola V551 and my parents are looking to add 3 lines on to my existing plan. They tasked me with finding phones for them, but I'm really not sure what is the best suggestion, so I'm looking to all you phone nerds for your thoughts.
I'm looking for some inexpensive phones for them that are flip phones. An outer LCD is desired, but not a deal-breaker if it doesn't have it. Don't care if it's a tri/quad band phone. A camera isn't important either (and I suspect most of the cameras in this price range suck). Price, Ease of Use, Reliability, Reception, Size and Weight are all important. Additionally, we're looking for a flip-phone
The phones are going to my mother, father and sister - my father is reasonably tech-savy, but my mother and sister are not so they need to be simple. If possiblem, my father would like a clear, easy to read LCD screen, prefferably with large numbers so he can read it without glasses.
So far I've come up with the following list of potential models:
Sony Ericsson Z500a
LG C1300
LG L1400i
Samsung X427M
Samsung e317
Motorola V180
Motorola V220
Motorola v551

I currently have a v551 and am happy with it, however with Cingular's current pricing structure it is rather expensive for them to purchase 3. Any thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

Posted by: DRC72

Well I hear the Nokia 6102 is coming out next month.

Posted by: BigDish

Quote:

Originally Posted by drc72

Well I hear the Nokia 6102 is coming out next month.

Do you know approximately when or for how much $? I'm looking to get these phone about the first week of August.

Posted by: DRC72

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDish

Do you know approximately when or for how much $? I'm looking to get these phone about the first week of August.

I don't know any of the pricing on it. Any Cingular reps out there know?

Posted by: what_up

Stay away from the LG's. From your list, I would say either V551 or Z500. Although V180 is also good basic phone. I love the battery life on that phone. It lasts a week or more with normal usage.

Posted by: Rcadden

just to keep things simple, you can get a v551 for $49.87 for each of them at Sam's Club. You don't always have to go to the Cingular store and tolerate their prices. We also have the v220 for $29.87 and the v180 for $9.87. Just walk in and walk out with them. You don't even need a Sam's Card, just tell them at the door you're going to the Communication Center.

That being said, I would suggest v180s all the way around, to keep things simple. I find the newer batch is good quality, and it has the necessary features, but not ones that techno-phobes don't want, like a camera.

The v220, imo, is complete crap. If you're going to get a camera phone, spend a little extra and get the v551. Seriously. The flip feels real springy and cheap, and the camera just plain blows.

The v551 would be good for your dad, but I think it might be too much phone for your mom and sister. However, if you already have one, and your dad gets one, then ya'll could set them up for them so they have access to the features they'd use, and don't have to bother with the rest. With the dedicated camera button, it's easy for people to use to take pictures.

As for the other phones on your list:

I would stay away from LGs, period. That's easy. The Samsung X427m from what I have heard is a pretty solid little phone, however, me personally, the lack of external LCD absolutely kills it. The e317 I haven't heard any complaints about, though I know that Samsungs can *sometimes* be flaky with RF. I personally don't care for the Samsung menu setup, but I will admit that it's pretty easy to use.

As I said, I would suggest either 3 v180s or 3 v551s, or a mixture of the two (for whoever wants a camera phone). And you can get them at Sam's Club for ALOT cheaper than a corporate store, and you walk out with the phones, no MIR or anything.

Posted by: BigDish

The one thing that makes this difficult is we don't want a 2 year contract - 1 year only. I know that will make the phones cost a bit more - generally $50/each. Any clue if that's true of the Sam's Club communication center?

I'm curious that you like the V180 but not the V220 - I thought they were the same phone other than one had a camera and one did not?

Posted by: Rcadden

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDish

The one thing that makes this difficult is we don't want a 2 year contract - 1 year only. I know that will make the phones cost a bit more - generally $50/each. Any clue if that's true of the Sam's Club communication center?

I'm curious that you like the V180 but not the V220 - I thought they were the same phone other than one had a camera and one did not?

one year contract at SC is only $40 more. Just ask.

It's funny, that's even how I sell it to people, "the 220 has the same features, plus a camera. Other than that they are pretty much the same thing" but the v180 simply feels more solid. Like I said, the flip/hinge on the v220 just feels too springy.

Posted by: chonga

for basic basic flip phone (definately a mom/gf/sister phone) is the samsung x427
very solid design, built to last imo, not as many features as the v180, but will last twice as long (my gf's family all have them, gave me their 3120's that they got on their upgrades and have never complained about the x427's at all, so im figuring for basic users, it would be a good choice) plus it got about the same rf as my v551
i think samsung and lg are on their way up for gsm handsets.

v180 and v220 i would stay away from... junk, esp hinges. crap screens. samsung x427 screen is excellent for basic phone....the v180 and v220 will last MAYBE a year if you're very careful with them

Posted by: ncvaco

My Fiance just got herself a z500a. I used it for the past week, and love it. If it had BT and more memory I will be all over it. Great call quality, well built, and a decent camera. It is also free through cingular.com now. She had the v220 and it was trash.

Posted by: Tall Texan

I know that you said you do not want a 2 year contract but right now online you can get the SE z500a for $50 plus tax with a $60 rebate. So you can get a geat phone for free. It should meet all of the techy needs of you dad along with the ease of use for the other two lines. Like I said though you have to do the 2 year contract online.

Posted by: chonga

yeah im getting a z500a for my girlfriend no contract
has the features she wants, not techy enough for me but it's not for me...
she wants "the real song kind of ringtone" and an outside display.... makes me chuckle.

but yeah, i wouldn't get it for her unless it was half decent

Posted by: Shadowless127

stay away from the v551. got one a month ago, and i'm going to be upgrading to the black RAZR because i can't stand the v551

Posted by: chonga

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadowless127

stay away from the v551. got one a month ago, and i'm going to be upgrading to the black RAZR because i can't stand the v551

i agree
unless of course you can get it for free or close to free....
then in that case i'd just sell it on ebay and get a different phone. heh

Posted by: BigDish

Quote:

Originally Posted by chonga

i agree
unless of course you can get it for free or close to free....
then in that case i'd just sell it on ebay and get a different phone. heh

Well, I have a V551 I'm very happy with, and previously had a V300 so I guess I disagree with you guys on it

Posted by: chonga

well that's good, there are different phones out there and different phones please different people

it's probably best that you try things out first and if you renew your contract, i believe that 30 day trial is still applicable to your phone
i always get what aestheically pleases me then if i dont like it, trade it in
thats why i got the v551 over the 6230 to begin with and now im kickin myself for that

Posted by: samh07

Stay away from the LG C1300. I have that phone and it is a piece of garbage. Too bad I can't get a new phone until my contract is up (1 year).

Posted by: mblphnlvr

I got a z500a for my grandpa and he says that it is hard to see the numbers on the buttons because of the crappy orange backlighting... So, for an older person it might not be the best one.