Phone recommendations needed - anyone have suggestions?

**bizeemere** · 08-03-2012, 10:31 AM

I'm looking for a phone that is:

- smartphone
- flip phone
- GSM network
- unlocked (or fully unlockable)
- excellent call audio quality

It doesn't have to be the "latest and greatest" phone released in 2012. If it is an 'older' phone that meets the above criteria, that's fine. TIA...

**Aurelian** · 08-05-2012, 10:37 AM

There isn't a lot that would fit your criteria -- I would suggest the BlackBerry Style, but that's CDMA-only. Flip smartphones are virtually non-existent outside of Asia. Samsung's SCH-W999 would fit the bill if you lived in areas that supported its 3G bands (and were willing to accept that you might have to import it).

The truth is that you'll probably have to suck it up and get a typical bar-shaped touchscreen phone. Is there a particular reason you're set on a flip phone?

**bizeemere** · 08-17-2012, 03:53 PM

Yeah, this is a phone replacement for my mother, for Christmas, and she only likes flip phones. I found the Sharp Aquos 007SH, but that only comes out of Japan and I'm having a hard time finding anywhere reputable to buy it from.

**Sponge Dude** · 08-17-2012, 07:22 PM

http://globaljphones.com/phones/soft...ank_007SH.html

these guys are trustworthy

**Steveanderson13** · 08-17-2012, 07:39 PM

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0029ZA2W0

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using HowardForums

**Drillbit** · 08-17-2012, 09:36 PM

Please note that Japanese phones don't have 2G GSM and don't use GSM SMS technology. They work directly on 3G HSPA and rely on push email.

**bizeemere** · 08-18-2012, 01:31 AM

no 2G GSM?? I'm confused. This specs sheet says that it does have 2G GSM - http://www.esato.com/phones/Sharp-Aquos+007SH-807

And it doesnt' support SMS? I'm not looking to have a smartphone that can't send or receive text messages without going through email.

**Drillbit** · 08-18-2012, 02:02 AM

Originally Posted by bizeemere

no 2G GSM?? I'm confused. This specs sheet says that it does have 2G GSM - http://www.esato.com/phones/Sharp-Aquos+007SH-807

And it doesnt' support SMS? I'm not looking to have a smartphone that can't send or receive text messages without going through email.

Unless it was a phone intended for the Chinese market, which is likely it is, a phone strictly for the Japanese market won't have 2G GSM. Because simply, Japan doesn't have any 2G GSM networks. Japan basically went from 1G to 3G directly, and implemented a push email system for their messaging (the exception being one network did operate CDMA). Hence, messages are directed to an email address, not a phone number, which is the differentiator between email and SMS.