T-Mobile cell phone recommendations?

scottmandue · 12-23-2006, 09:27 AM

Jeeze folks here it is Dec. 23 and your fighting like a bunch of cats and dogs.

How about a cell phone thread, my family wants to get me something for Christmas and the only thing I can come up with is a new cell phone (I like my old Nokia but it is starting to fall apart after three or more years).

I like T-mobile, their system works for me so it has to be a phone they support.

Don't need or want a camera phone but I'll probably end up with one anyway just because ninety percent of the phones out today have one built in

Being technoboy I was thinking of a smart phone but you know what, I have Internet at home and work so I don't need Internet on a phone either. Plus they charge extra for Internet access and that is one less monthly bill I can do without.

So I am looking for a basic solid cell phone and I have three things it must have reception, reception, reception because some of the place I work and play have very weak (but usable)signal.

I also have had good luck with Nokia (I am looking at the 6133) but I am open to other brands.

BGCarrera32 · 12-23-2006, 09:36 AM

Hey Scott...I apologize in advance...don't want to hijack the thread. I have all the same questions, but would also like to know who the best carrier is as well...customer service and reception, reception, reception. Don't need bling tones and internet either...care to chime in guys?

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

Cingular is rolling out 3G service in LA, but that is only an issue if you have a smartphone or data plan (I have both).

I have gotten pretty addicted to my cingular 3125, despite the fact that it is running WM5 (smartphone). The contact function is quite smart...you start typing either a name or number and it on the fly picks out the matches for you to select. Plus I sync it with my calendar. And it'll do email and web in a pinch, but if you have zero use for that, then not a selling point. For me, being able to check on things even if I don't have my data device (a cingular 8525) is quite useful. But that's the way my work operates...

As for signal, Verizon used to be the best in LA, but these days I think it is a wash. Cingular seems to be a bit more robust than T-mobile, and I haven't used a Verizon phone in a couple years. I think the GSM carriers have caught up with Verizon wrt coverage.

Dave L · 12-23-2006, 10:24 AM

Well, Im just slightly biased here as I work for Nokia.

If you like the Nokia stick with it, the UI on the newer phones will be very similar to the unit you have now. The 6133 is a good phone but the battery may last a little less than what you are used to. The big screen will do that.

If you just need a basic bare bones phones I would recommend the 6101. The 6101 rated #1 in reception with Tmobile and Rogers up here in Canada. The 6103 is also very good as it is basically the 6101 with some revised styling and the addition of bluetooth. Battery, reception, durability and reliability have all been strong points for Nokia.

If you dont want Nokia I would recommend Samsung.

scottmandue · 12-23-2006, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BGCarrera32
Hey Scott...I apologize in advance...don't want to hijack the thread. I have all the same questions, but would also like to know who the best carrier is as well...customer service and reception, reception, reception. Don't need bling tones and Internet either...care to chime in guys?

Reception depends a lot on you location, local terrain and location/number of towers in you area by carriers. Next is your phone, all phones are not created equal and if you get a sucky phone it will not work well no matter what service you use. IMHO it is best to ask friends/family/coworkers/neighbors who their carrier is and how the reception is for them. Also important to read lots of reviews although take note that on the Internet some people posting don't have a clue... you will have fifty people posting that a phone is great and then one person will post it's a POS just because they are technologically challenged.

Everyone I have talked to told me Sprint has great signal but horrible customer service and charges you every time you blink. I have had a great experience with T-mobile YMMV.

scottmandue · 12-23-2006, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave L
Well, Im just slightly biased here as I work for Nokia.

If you like the Nokia stick with it, the UI on the newer phones will be very similar to the unit you have now. The 6133 is a good phone but the battery may last a little less than what you are used to. The big screen will do that.

If you just need a basic bare bones phones I would recommend the 6101. The 6101 rated #1 in reception with Tmobile and Rogers up here in Canada. The 6103 is also very good as it is basically the 6101 with some revised styling and the addition of bluetooth. Battery, reception, durability and reliability have all been strong points for Nokia.

If you dont want Nokia I would recommend Samsung.

Dave, I love my 3595 but as you know it is a dinosaur, I have dropped it more time than I can count, been on many business trips with me, even used it in the rain (Boston) and it keeps on working. 6103 is tri-band Vs 6133 being quad-band, should that be a concern? I don't plan on using it outside the USA. I'm not too worried about battery life because, I only use the phone as a phone (funny in this day and age you even have to say that), most of my calls are short, and I always get a car charger.

Thanks for your input.

Dave L · 12-23-2006, 12:24 PM

tri band will give you 850mhz plus the 2 high bands which will cover all of North America and a good part of the world. Quad adds 900Mhz. In Europe they use 900mhz but if you only use the phone in the US you will recieve no benifit from quad band.

The 3595 is a dinosaur but it can take a beating thats for sure. The charger for the 3595 is different than the 6101 or 6133 but an inexpensive adapter is available. (PM me if you cant find one)

masraum · 12-23-2006, 01:03 PM

I have T-mobile through my job and had it before that. It works great for me as well. I used to have a 3595. It was a great utility phone, good reception and very durable. If you want something similar but newer, then get the 6010. THat's what I'm currently using. Basically just a slightly updated 3595. You can get them on ebay for $20-30.

In the next week or two I'll be getting a new job and so I'll need to get a new T-mobile acct since my current acct is through work. When I do, I'm planning to get a Nokia 6101. It's free, and I'm guessing that the phone quality will be similar to my previous nokia phones.

nota · 12-23-2006, 01:27 PM

does any CORP make a real GPS PHONE
as I understand it every new cell phone has a GPS chip
so if you call 911 the cops know where you are
but no phone will tell YOU WHERE YOU ARE just the cops
without a extra charge per month and a computer link
to their GPS service something I see no need for
just give me the raw data with out chargeing a monthly fee
but so far I cannot find such a phone

masraum · 12-23-2006, 01:50 PM

I know there are some Nextel/motorolla phones that will tell you where you are. I don't know if there's an extra charge or not, though.

Dave L · 12-23-2006, 04:23 PM

I have TomTom on my 6682. The software is expensive and I use an external GPS "puck" but it works very well and no data or monthly charges.

stomachmonkey · 12-23-2006, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave L
Well, Im just slightly biased here as I work for Nokia.

If you like the Nokia stick with it, the UI on the newer phones will be very similar to the unit you have now. The 6133 is a good phone but the battery may last a little less than what you are used to. The big screen will do that.

If you just need a basic bare bones phones I would recommend the 6101. The 6101 rated #1 in reception with Tmobile and Rogers up here in Canada. The 6103 is also very good as it is basically the 6101 with some revised styling and the addition of bluetooth. Battery, reception, durability and reliability have all been strong points for Nokia.

If you dont want Nokia I would recommend Samsung.

Sorry for the hijack here. I switched to a Nokia e62 recently and am I pissed at Cingular. They cripppled the damn thing. Any unsigned apps that access the internet prompt for authorization every time they need data.

Makes gmail mobile and gmaps unuseable.

Any idea if an unlocked e61 will suffer the same?

Scott