cell phone suggestions?

[snugglekitty]

So, for the line of work that I am about to go into, I am going to need a cell phone, so that my clients can reach me at any time.

I will be getting a Sprint cellphone, because this is the kind that mrpet has. This is not a Magic Penis issue, but rather, he can get me on his plan and get us a deal.

I am wondering what cellphones people would recommend. Unfortunately I don't think I can afford one that has a PDA, unless someone knows of a really awesome deal. I guess I'd be willing and able to spend around $150, if it had a PDA. If it didn't, seventy-five would probably be the max. I don't really care about being able to play Solitaire or fancy ring tones (I find fancy ring tones really annoying to be honest.) I care about sound quality and having buttons that are reasonably large. A clock display on the outside of the phone would also be cool.

Any thoughts?

Comments

[cutieperson]

as a new subscriber (which you would be, even under his plan) you should have a choice between a couple of free phones. mine is such, and it's perfectly fine. it includes the clock display on the outside as well.

otherwise.. dunno. i've been reasonably fond of every Nokia i've had. but i tend to hate flip-phones, so that rules out a lot of brands.

[buxom-bey.livejournal.com]

I got my phone via Verizon, but it seems to be a very common Motorola model, the 120e. I don't know if you can get it through Sprint, but it's inexpensive (I actually got mine free as part of a promo) and yet it still works great after two years of my putting it through hell.

[jacflash.livejournal.com]

What bbbsg said. The free ones will probably meet your needs nicely, and I like Nokias -- IME they're sturdy, reliable, and relatively simple to use.

[bearsir.livejournal.com]

I have had a variety of Samsung phones, all of which I have loved and all of which have either lived long enough to be passed on or have died because of my own massive stupidity.

Also - do not knock the usefulness of the fancy ringtone. There are moments when it it incredibly nice - in the middle of the night, say, or when one is engaged in a focus-intensive activity - to know whether it is someone you want to be available to at all times /without/ having to get up and fumble around. Or if it's a client, or if it's one of your relatives, et al.

[mrpet.livejournal.com]

My current plan is up on 5/6 and I can add a phone for $20. The current free phones are:

phone 1 (http://www1.sprintpcs.com/explore/PhonesAccessories/PhoneDetails.jsp?navLocator=%7Cshop%7CphonesAccessories%7CallPhones%7C&selectSkuId=pcsVI600&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1476015&CURRENT_USER%3C%3EATR_SCID=ECOMM&CURRENT_USER%3C%3EATR_PCode=None&CURRENT_USER%3C%3EATR_cartState=group&bmUID=1111420221490)
phone 2 (http://www1.sprintpcs.com/explore/PhonesAccessories/PhoneDetails.jsp?navLocator=%7Cshop%7CphonesAccessories%7CallPhones%7C&selectSkuId=samsungvi660&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1476015&CURRENT_USER%3C%3EATR_SCID=ECOMM&CURRENT_USER%3C%3EATR_PCode=None&CURRENT_USER%3C%3EATR_cartState=group&bmUID=1111420221497)
phone 3 (http://www1.sprintpcs.com/explore/PhonesAccessories/PhoneDetails.jsp?navLocator=%7Cshop%7CphonesAccessories%7CallPhones%7C&selectSkuId=nokia6016i&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1476015&CURRENT_USER%3C%3EATR_SCID=ECOMM&CURRENT_USER%3C%3EATR_PCode=None&CURRENT_USER%3C%3EATR_cartState=group&bmUID=1111420221502)

the following phone is very cheap

phone 4 (http://www1.sprintpcs.com/explore/PhonesAccessories/PhoneDetails.jsp?navLocator=%7Cshop%7CphonesAccessories%7CallPhones%7C&selectSkuId=sanyorl4920&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1476015&CURRENT_USER%3C%3EATR_SCID=ECOMM&CURRENT_USER%3C%3EATR_PCode=None&CURRENT_USER%3C%3EATR_cartState=group&bmUID=1111420221508)

[curly-chick.livejournal.com]

magic penis issue?

[usingredink.livejournal.com]

Check out www.intelenetwireless.com I got a great deal on my camera phone a year ago.

Good luck!

[sparkymonster.livejournal.com]

behold the cult of magic penis! (http://www.livejournal.com/users/cavalorn/158191.html#cutid1)

[redjo.livejournal.com]

Since I just purchased a new smart phone myself, I found the CNet buying guide useful in figuring out options:
http://reviews.cnet.com/Wireless/4520-7609_7-5537615-1.html?tag=dir.new

I also found their product reviews helpful in prioritizing features.

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

Ooh! Super-helpful! Thanks.

[redjo.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. :) Also, if you find a combination of features and design you like, and it's a bit too expensive, consider seeing what's available on eBay (if you're comfortable buying a second-hand phone). A good trick is to find the auctions where they've misspelled something in the product title, so that fewer people find them (e.g. if you're looking for a "Palm" handheld, try searching under "Plam").