I cancelled my TMobile service on the 1st, because while it started off really good, the service in the last 6 months has gone completely to shit, as I’ve mentioned before. I would have five bars of service, dial, put it to my ear "call failed!" and look down, no bars of service. And this is in TOWN, not in my parents basement in the middle of the woods or whatever. I don’t even get how people can rely on a cell as a sole phone number, because I swear to god, my own experiences have just sucked. But, they do, and I see people on cell phones EVERYWHERE. Hell, in my own HOUSE I barely got service, but I’ve seen people from all kinds of other providers talking away on theirs! Anyway. DEEEpressing.
So, I cancelled the service, and want to go with a regional carrier, Unicel, because it seems that around here, if you can rely on your cell as your sole phone, you use Unicel. Plus, it’s the only carrier that has mini-plans, which are my preference, because I’m really NOT a cell phone user, but it’s really nice to have when I’m running late, or whatever. Plus, I am a HUGGGGE geek, and love the camera phone concept, and, quite honestly, I used my phone more for it’s camera than it’s PHONE, so,err, yeah.
Anyway.
Here’s the rub! Yay, Unicel for having a $20 plan and good local coverage and all of that! But, your phones blow, from what I can see. I really loved my Motorola V330, like, a lot, and it’s not an option at Unicel. I really want a camera phone but my choices are the RAZR (so does not appeal to me, looks like an accident waiting to happen) or the PEBL in red (very cute, but not well reviewed), or the Nokia 6103 — again, looks fine, but not well reviewed, and maybe possibly the Sony Ericsson z520A – no longer on the website, but it was at the kiosk in the mall. The Sony appeals the most, I think, but then there seems to be some problem with the screen going black within months, if I’m to, again, believe the reviews. The cheapest camera phone option is the LG1400, which won’t allow me (if I’m to believe the website) to use the picture messaging email thing, which if I get a camera phone, i totally want to do, because I’m a weirdo and love Molly’s cameraphone LJ, which would be possible to do through unicel, I do believe. Oh, and the Nokia and LG are tri-band, instead of quad.
And then I think, jesus christ, it’s a PHONE that you will rarely USE, so just get the freaking base model, the Motorola V197 (it has to be a flip phone, that’s a dealbreaker) which would be like, 30 bucks before rebate, is quadband, all of that…. which would really be the sensible thing to do, you know, just get THAT and then… upgrade? I wonder if you can do that. Or when I get a super awesome job, maybe I’ll be able to upgrade to a phone I really want, instead of choosing from phones I don’t necessarily dig. Any experience or advice?
ARGH.
Is verizon an option for you? I have had nearly every national service and they give the most consistant service and I get coverage in places no one else does.
I am due for a new phone through them, so I am getting an LG enV – which has one of the best reviewed camera phones on it. Because of the deals they are running right now, I am only paying $50.
On the phones themselves don’t discount the RAZR too quickly. I’ve had mine for a little over six monthes now and love it. I’ve dropped it, split beer on it, had a dog chew on it and dropped it some more and its always worked grand for me. Plus as a bit of a geeky (and vanity) thing you can switch the cam on, close down the flip top and the cam will bring up your image on the small outside screen. Useful if you forget your mirror!
We prefer Nokias around here. We have VOIP in the house, but use our cell as a main line. Anyway, we use cingular and sometimes the service is sketchy (but mostly because we live in a cornfield.) Anywho, erich had a Sony and an LG? and neither really worked well for him. He switched to Nokia and loves it. I love the Nokias too. They ALWAYS seem to find some reception.
I’ve had 3 Nokias and love them, but I have to say there’s nothing quite like pushing buttons and trying it out in your hand. My current one is unbreakable – it comes apart w/out breaking when I drop it, which is awesome because I am a klutz.
Nokias have awesome antennas and battery life, in my experience. I only switched to the Treo because TREO. I still really want someone to make a cameraphone review site, especially on the days that the Treo seems big and gawky and unnecessary.
As for upgrading, Cingular only lets me upgrade every two years or something ridiculous like that.