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Cellular forums Home > Archive > T-Mobile cellular service > February 2006 > Which phones?
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| Percival P. Cassidy 2006-02-16, 5:48 pm |
| Our $50/month, 400 shared min/month family plan contract has expired,
but we have the option to extend it and get new phones at a reduced cost
or even free. The question is which phones to choose: are there
significant *performance* differences (never mind the bells and
whistles) between different phones?
At present my wife and I have Motorola V66 phones, while our son has a
Sony camera-phone (can't tell you the model# offhand, and he has it with
him at school). Ours seem to do OK, but he complains that his doesn't
perform well -- which may have a lot to do with his bedroom being in the
basement -- and the screen is messed up. Moreover none of the batteries
is holding its charge well, and new phones might cost less than new
batteries.
The phones we are being offered for extending our contract are:
Motorola V188 $19.99 (after mail-in rebate)
Motorola V360 $74.99 (after mail-in rebate)
Motorola RAZR V3 $99.99 (after mail-in rebate)
Nokia 3220 $24.99
Nokia 6010 free
Nokia 6101 $49.99
Samsung x495 free
Samsung e635 free
(I've omitted a couple of very expensive ones that we're being offered.)
Although not all these models have the camera feature, that's not a
factor, as our son says he doesn't care about it any more.
Any recommendations from the above list, or would we do better just to
replace the batteries in our V66 phones (approx. $35 ea.) and replace
only our son's phone?
Note: we don't want to switch carriers or get a new T-Mobile contract in
my wife's name, because there are no other plans this cheap and 400
min/month is plenty for us. Moreover, they tell us that we can't port
our numbers from one T-Mobile contract to another.
Perce
| |
| John Richards 2006-02-16, 5:48 pm |
| Of the phones you listed, the only one I have experience with
is the RAZR V3, and it is an excellent performer.
As far as buying new batteries, I buy mine through eBay,
about $10 (shipping included). How old is your current phone?
I replace mine about every three years, as a preventative
maintenance measure. Nothing lasts forever.
--
John Richards
"Percival P. Cassidy" <Nobody@NotMyISP.com> wrote in message news:e6%If.2$2o7.1@fe05.lga...
> Our $50/month, 400 shared min/month family plan contract has expired,
> but we have the option to extend it and get new phones at a reduced cost
> or even free. The question is which phones to choose: are there
> significant *performance* differences (never mind the bells and
> whistles) between different phones?
>
> At present my wife and I have Motorola V66 phones, while our son has a
> Sony camera-phone (can't tell you the model# offhand, and he has it with
> him at school). Ours seem to do OK, but he complains that his doesn't
> perform well -- which may have a lot to do with his bedroom being in the
> basement -- and the screen is messed up. Moreover none of the batteries
> is holding its charge well, and new phones might cost less than new
> batteries.
>
> The phones we are being offered for extending our contract are:
>
> Motorola V188 $19.99 (after mail-in rebate)
> Motorola V360 $74.99 (after mail-in rebate)
> Motorola RAZR V3 $99.99 (after mail-in rebate)
>
> Nokia 3220 $24.99
> Nokia 6010 free
> Nokia 6101 $49.99
>
> Samsung x495 free
> Samsung e635 free
>
> (I've omitted a couple of very expensive ones that we're being offered.)
>
> Although not all these models have the camera feature, that's not a
> factor, as our son says he doesn't care about it any more.
>
> Any recommendations from the above list, or would we do better just to
> replace the batteries in our V66 phones (approx. $35 ea.) and replace
> only our son's phone?
>
> Note: we don't want to switch carriers or get a new T-Mobile contract in
> my wife's name, because there are no other plans this cheap and 400
> min/month is plenty for us. Moreover, they tell us that we can't port
> our numbers from one T-Mobile contract to another.
>
> Perce
| |
| Andy M - Tampa Bay 2006-02-16, 5:48 pm |
| Don't get the Samsung X495. My first one was defective, second one had the
same issue.
I'd take the Nokia 3220 as I've tried out a friend's. It's great.
"Percival P. Cassidy" <Nobody@NotMyISP.com> wrote in message
news:e6%If.2$2o7.1@fe05.lga...
> Our $50/month, 400 shared min/month family plan contract has expired, but
> we have the option to extend it and get new phones at a reduced cost or
> even free. The question is which phones to choose: are there significant
> *performance* differences (never mind the bells and whistles) between
> different phones?
>
> At present my wife and I have Motorola V66 phones, while our son has a
> Sony camera-phone (can't tell you the model# offhand, and he has it with
> him at school). Ours seem to do OK, but he complains that his doesn't
> perform well -- which may have a lot to do with his bedroom being in the
> basement -- and the screen is messed up. Moreover none of the batteries is
> holding its charge well, and new phones might cost less than new
> batteries.
>
> The phones we are being offered for extending our contract are:
>
> Motorola V188 $19.99 (after mail-in rebate)
> Motorola V360 $74.99 (after mail-in rebate)
> Motorola RAZR V3 $99.99 (after mail-in rebate)
>
> Nokia 3220 $24.99
> Nokia 6010 free
> Nokia 6101 $49.99
>
> Samsung x495 free
> Samsung e635 free
>
> (I've omitted a couple of very expensive ones that we're being offered.)
>
> Although not all these models have the camera feature, that's not a
> factor, as our son says he doesn't care about it any more.
>
> Any recommendations from the above list, or would we do better just to
> replace the batteries in our V66 phones (approx. $35 ea.) and replace only
> our son's phone?
>
> Note: we don't want to switch carriers or get a new T-Mobile contract in
> my wife's name, because there are no other plans this cheap and 400
> min/month is plenty for us. Moreover, they tell us that we can't port our
> numbers from one T-Mobile contract to another.
>
> Perce
| |
|
| "Percival P. Cassidy" <Nobody@NotMyISP.com> wrote in
news:e6%If.2$2o7.1@fe05.lga:
> Our $50/month, 400 shared min/month family plan contract has expired,
> but we have the option to extend it and get new phones at a reduced
> cost or even free. The question is which phones to choose: are there
> significant *performance* differences (never mind the bells and
> whistles) between different phones?
This is a matter of personal taste. I love my nokias (3220 and 6101),
they both are great phones. Heard that RAZR isn't all that bad, and it's
the only quad band phone, just in case you travel abroad and want to use
it there; but I'd stay away from other Motorolas.
Have you researched all those models on phonescoop.com? They also have
lots of reviews on all phones, many more than you would hear in this NG.
LEM
(remove digits from address for direct reply)
| |
|
| In article <e6%If.2$2o7.1@fe05.lga>,
"Percival P. Cassidy" <Nobody@NotMyISP.com> wrote:
> Our $50/month, 400 shared min/month family plan contract has expired,
> but we have the option to extend it and get new phones at a reduced cost
> or even free. The question is which phones to choose: are there
> significant *performance* differences (never mind the bells and
> whistles) between different phones?
>
> At present my wife and I have Motorola V66 phones, while our son has a
> Sony camera-phone (can't tell you the model# offhand, and he has it with
> him at school). Ours seem to do OK, but he complains that his doesn't
> perform well -- which may have a lot to do with his bedroom being in the
> basement -- and the screen is messed up. Moreover none of the batteries
> is holding its charge well, and new phones might cost less than new
> batteries.
>
> The phones we are being offered for extending our contract are:
>
> Motorola V188 $19.99 (after mail-in rebate)
> Motorola V360 $74.99 (after mail-in rebate)
> Motorola RAZR V3 $99.99 (after mail-in rebate)
>
> Nokia 3220 $24.99
> Nokia 6010 free
> Nokia 6101 $49.99
>
> Samsung x495 free
> Samsung e635 free
>
> (I've omitted a couple of very expensive ones that we're being offered.)
>
> Although not all these models have the camera feature, that's not a
> factor, as our son says he doesn't care about it any more.
>
> Any recommendations from the above list, or would we do better just to
> replace the batteries in our V66 phones (approx. $35 ea.) and replace
> only our son's phone?
>
> Note: we don't want to switch carriers or get a new T-Mobile contract in
> my wife's name, because there are no other plans this cheap and 400
> min/month is plenty for us. Moreover, they tell us that we can't port
> our numbers from one T-Mobile contract to another.
>
> Perce
I had the 6101 for a day and took it back. Some folks like it, but it
was not my cup of tea. I tried the Motorola V3 next and still have it
after the two week trial period. Like has already been mentioned, check
out phone scoop and read about the phones then go and try one out for a
few days, if it don't suit you try another until you find a phone you
like. One thought, T-Mobile is using the 850 band roaming so get a
phone that has that band also. Actually I think all the phones T-Mobile
offers now has the 850 band. Good luck.
| |
|
| Percival P. Cassidy wrote:
> Our $50/month, 400 shared min/month family plan contract has expired,
> but we have the option to extend it and get new phones at a reduced cost
> or even free. The question is which phones to choose: are there
> significant *performance* differences (never mind the bells and
> whistles) between different phones?
>
> At present my wife and I have Motorola V66 phones, while our son has a
> Sony camera-phone (can't tell you the model# offhand, and he has it with
> him at school). Ours seem to do OK, but he complains that his doesn't
> perform well -- which may have a lot to do with his bedroom being in the
> basement -- and the screen is messed up. Moreover none of the batteries
> is holding its charge well, and new phones might cost less than new
> batteries.
>
> The phones we are being offered for extending our contract are:
>
> Motorola V188 $19.99 (after mail-in rebate)
> Motorola V360 $74.99 (after mail-in rebate)
> Motorola RAZR V3 $99.99 (after mail-in rebate)
>
> Nokia 3220 $24.99
> Nokia 6010 free
> Nokia 6101 $49.99
>
> Samsung x495 free
> Samsung e635 free
>
> (I've omitted a couple of very expensive ones that we're being offered.)
>
> Although not all these models have the camera feature, that's not a
> factor, as our son says he doesn't care about it any more.
>
> Any recommendations from the above list, or would we do better just to
> replace the batteries in our V66 phones (approx. $35 ea.) and replace
> only our son's phone?
>
> Note: we don't want to switch carriers or get a new T-Mobile contract in
> my wife's name, because there are no other plans this cheap and 400
> min/month is plenty for us. Moreover, they tell us that we can't port
> our numbers from one T-Mobile contract to another.
>
> Perce
If I was choosing, I'd pick either the Motorola V188 or the RAZR V3 from
your list. I do a lot of driving in an area that didn't previously have
coverage, but now due to T-mobiles partnerships and expansion into 850
MHz coverage, those 2 phones will let you benefit from the expanded
coverage. You can check which phones have the expanded 850 coverage at
T-Mobiles website;
http://support.t-mobile.com/knowbas...lic/tm22037.htm
I had to make the same decision last month (same 49.99 family plan) and
selected the RAZR V3 for the wife (which she loves) and selected the
Blackberry 7105t for me for the extra web and email capability (it also
has 850 coverage). Both those phones have bluetooth, which makes it easy
to download contacts and other stuff from a bluetooth equipped computer,
or between phones. They also have quad-band coverage, so I can use them
most places overseas.
John
| |
|
| > If I was choosing, I'd pick either the Motorola V188 or the RAZR V3
> from your list. I do a lot of driving in an area that didn't
> previously have coverage, but now due to T-mobiles partnerships and
> expansion into 850 MHz coverage, those 2 phones will let you benefit
> from the expanded coverage.
.... as well as all other phones on the list...
I would definetly stay away from V188 - it's a rather old model and has a
number of problems associated with it (lowest rating of the bunch on
phonescoop too).
Domestic coverage will be adequate on all phones, though reportedly
Nokias have a better reputation for RF performance than Motorolas and
Samsungs if that's what matters. Razr V3 is the only one featuring a full
quad band if you travel overseas. All others except Nokia 6010 have
1800MZ band, which may provide a limited coverage overseas (though I
won't count on it).. None at all for 6010, it's a dual band 1900/850,
which makes it useless in Europe.
Once again - first determine your priorities, then choose a phone that
suits them well.
LEM.
(remove all digits from address for direct reply)
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