Question regarding phone choice.

**reddawn323** · 04-19-2012, 08:37 PM

So tomorrow we are going from a single line to a family plan. My boyfriend is porting over from Iwireless and right now he has a pretty dumb phone. We are looking at the Samsung Mesmerize for him. This will be his first smart phone so he has no clue what he has been missing. I know they just brought it back. Is it a decent starter phone? Looking at it for the price. I have the electrify and love it. Won't let him go with BB - want to stay with android. Thanks for help/advice.

Dawn

**JKooL18** · 04-19-2012, 09:11 PM

There is nothing wrong with the Mesmerize as a starter Android phone.

**BigE** · 04-19-2012, 09:17 PM

Originally Posted by JKooL18

There is nothing wrong with the Mesmerize as a starter Android phone.

Except for the awful battery life, the bicycle may come as a shock to someone who has been using a dumbphone previously.

Sent from my HTC Hero S using HowardForums

**freibrauer** · 04-19-2012, 09:38 PM

Is HTC Hero much better battery wise?

**JKooL18** · 04-19-2012, 09:54 PM

What's wrong with the battery? I don't get this obsession over batteries. When my phone needs to be charged, I plug it in, doesn't matter when. Keep a charger at home, in your car, and at work, and you're all set.

**kallell** · 04-20-2012, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by BigE

Except for the awful battery life, the bicycle may come as a shock to someone who has been using a dumbphone previously.

Sent from my HTC Hero S using HowardForums

I get 24-30 hours with moderate usage with mine. Battery is fine imo

**clifftrue** · 04-20-2012, 08:27 AM

Originally Posted by freibrauer

Is HTC Hero much better battery wise?

I would only recommend the Hero S or the Mesmerize. The Hero S does have better battery life if that important. My wife is on her phone several hours a day and the Mez she had to charge 2 times a day. She has the Hero S now. When I used the Mez it would get me though the day.

Do not get the HTC Wildfire S, Huawei Accend II or the Samsung Repp.

Also, you might be able to find a good used one as low as $80 on Craigslist. Then you can avoid a new 2 year contract for the new line.

**reddawn323** · 04-20-2012, 09:29 AM

I appreciate all your comments. I think we are going to go with the Mez. He is not a huge talker and during the day at work they are not supposed to be on phones etc. As long as he can get through a work day with battery not needing to be charged until he is at home (works 7-3:30) it will be fine. Can't beat the price. Now have not looked at craiglist. My contract is up in July so yeah being stuck in another 2 year is not something I want but he needs dependable service.

**reddawn323** · 04-20-2012, 09:44 AM

One more question - activation fee is $30. I don't remember it being that high before. What are the chances they would waive this fee?

**buzzstpt** · 04-20-2012, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by reddawn323

One more question - activation fee is $30. I don't remember it being that high before. What are the chances they would waive this fee?

I have never paid for activation with Us cell.
The store agents have tried.
Last time I got a new phone for my son and added a line for my youngest.
They tried to charge me an activation. I simply told them nope, not taking the phones or new line, and started for the door.
You'd be surprised how fast that activation will go away.

**reddawn323** · 04-20-2012, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by buzzstpt

I have never paid for activation with Us cell.
The store agents have tried.
Last time I got a new phone for my son and added a line for my youngest.
They tried to charge me an activation. I simply told them nope, not taking the phones or new line, and started for the door.
You'd be surprised how fast that activation will go away.

I like your thinking. I think the activation fee is outrageous.

**Steveanderson13** · 04-20-2012, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by buzzstpt

I have never paid for activation with Us cell.
The store agents have tried.
Last time I got a new phone for my son and added a line for my youngest.
They tried to charge me an activation. I simply told them nope, not taking the phones or new line, and started for the door.
You'd be surprised how fast that activation will go away.

Congrats. Yep, we all need to handle these things that way. I think many or at least some of these fees just amount to an extra commission. So when a sales rep realizes it's "some" commission or "none", the choice is easy.

**Steveanderson13** · 04-20-2012, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by reddawn323

One more question - activation fee is $30. I don't remember it being that high before. What are the chances they would waive this fee?

(A Verizon customer). Seems there may be several factors. I've never paid one so I am guessing. a) Postpaid customer b) Sufficiently large bill c) More than one line d) Adding a line e) Buying online. So you should "qualify".

**BigE** · 04-20-2012, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by JKooL18

What's wrong with the battery? I don't get this obsession over batteries. When my phone needs to be charged, I plug it in, doesn't matter when. Keep a charger at home, in your car, and at work, and you're all set.

My mother in law has the Mesmerize and the damn thing dies just from being unplugged overnight. Less than 8 hours of standby is unacceptable.

Sent from my HTC Hero S using HowardForums

**kallell** · 04-20-2012, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by BigE

My mother in law has the Mesmerize and the damn thing dies just from being unplugged overnight. Less than 8 hours of standby is unacceptable.

Sent from my HTC Hero S using HowardForums

Something is wrong with her phone then. She has to have bluetooth/gps/screen always on, an app draining the battery, or a weak signal.

Like i said, i have a mesmerize and with moderate to heavy use i get easily 24 hours...with minimal use i can hit upwards of 35 hours on stock battery.

SS for proof.