Try Deja.com, Usenet alt.cellular, alt.cellular.* There are alot of people selling/repairing mobile phones discussing things in the alt.cellular.tech newsgroups(it's also a good place to ask questions)
I've been in the mobile phone R&D business for over 4 years now. I've learned that you can't just rely on the brand name of any one individual manufacturer to help you make a good choice. These are tricky devices to make and one model by one manufacturer may be Excellent while another really sucks.
There are also Software Recalls and Just plain bad hardware. Anytime cheaper phones are built the cost savings can come from economizing on various critical parts(like say in the RF area) that will cause the platform to underperform(ok just plain suck).
Whatever phone you buy here's a few things I feel are important.
---- Digital is a must, longer battery life - Coverage may be an issue depending on the network tech. you choose(CDMA,TDMA,GSM,AMPS....)
---- RF Performance - it it can't acquire the network and stay on it this handset is not for you. - Some models perform much better in fringe coverage areas than others. so check out the coverage plans for the service provider you will sign up with.
---- Audio Quality - hey its a phone. If we can't hear each other why are we talking. ---- Accessory availability - Car Power Adapter - Data Connectors - if you wish to use a Laptop or PDA with it(InfraRed or Serial) - Headset/Carkit - I like the portable headsets. ("mic on a rope")
---- Nice display - nice font size which is quickly read - something readable in the dark
----- Good Keypad - size - good for your fingers - Tactile feedback - responds well to your touch - layout - some of these suck when you try to use them for basic functions
------ Form factor/Manufacturing Quality - if it doesn't feel good in your hand keep looking. - Materials Quality, if if feels cheap it probably is and will break easily. It will be dropped. - Balance, don't want it to feel like it will fall out of your hand when pressing keys(especially if using SMS or browser services)
Just a small list of things to look for when browsing peoples opinions. BTW, Don't forget to check up on software updates for your handset. There will usually be one or two additional software releases once a particular model is put on the market.
Slashdot Mirror
plenty of people work with these types everyday. sadly they are not aduquately trained to think they are logical systems engineers. peace
Try Deja.com, Usenet alt.cellular, alt.cellular.*
There are alot of people selling/repairing mobile phones discussing things in the alt.cellular.tech newsgroups(it's also a good place to ask questions)
I've been in the mobile phone R&D business for over 4 years now. I've learned that you can't just rely on the brand name of any one individual manufacturer to help you make a good choice. These are tricky devices to make and one model by one manufacturer may be Excellent while another really sucks.
There are also Software Recalls and Just plain bad hardware. Anytime cheaper phones are built the cost savings can come from economizing on various critical parts(like say in the RF area) that will cause the platform to underperform(ok just plain suck).
Whatever phone you buy here's a few things I feel are important.
---- Digital is a must, longer battery life
- Coverage may be an issue depending on the network tech. you choose(CDMA,TDMA,GSM,AMPS....)
---- RF Performance
- it it can't acquire the network and stay on it this handset is not for you.
- Some models perform much better in fringe coverage areas than others. so check out the coverage plans for the service provider you will sign up with.
---- Audio Quality
- hey its a phone. If we can't hear each other why are we talking.
---- Accessory availability
- Car Power Adapter
- Data Connectors - if you wish to use a Laptop or PDA with it(InfraRed or Serial)
- Headset/Carkit - I like the portable headsets. ("mic on a rope")
---- Nice display
- nice font size which is quickly read
- something readable in the dark
----- Good Keypad
- size - good for your fingers
- Tactile feedback - responds well to your touch
- layout - some of these suck when you try to use them for basic functions
------ Form factor/Manufacturing Quality
- if it doesn't feel good in your hand keep looking.
- Materials Quality, if if feels cheap it probably is and will break easily. It will be dropped.
- Balance, don't want it to feel like it will fall out of your hand when pressing keys(especially if using SMS or browser services)
Just a small list of things to look for when browsing peoples opinions.
BTW, Don't forget to check up on software updates for your handset. There will usually be one or two additional software releases once a particular model is put on the market.
Samsung Watch Phone